Do I Need my Parents’ Permission to Get Methadone Treatment as a Teen?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methadone is a valuable treatment method for treating both chronic pain and opiate addiction. It is also a viable treatment for teen opiate addiction. It takes regulation and self discipline to stick to a methadone regiment but if you meet the criteria, you might want to seek methadone treatment if you are a teen opiate addict. In order to seek treatment you will need to speak to your parents about the treatment and meet the basic criteria.

Criteria for Methadone Treatment

There are several criteria that you have to meet in order to qualify for methadone treatment as a teen. Since you are not a traditional candidate, you must be:

• at least 16 years old, if you are younger the methadone will be too harsh on your body and you will need to try something else.
• someone who has tried other forms of treatment including:

o inpatient or outpatient treatment

o counseling

o other forms of treatment

• addicted to an opiate for at least a year
• someone who has failed at other forms of treatment
• someone who has the desire to stop using opiates

Due to the delicacy and nature of methadone treatment, a doctor can impose other criteria as they see fit for your situation. You and the doctor will need to come to an agreement as to whether methadone is the right treatment for you.

Know your Options

You need to be at least 16 years old to receive methadone treatment.

By knowing your treatment options, you can talk to your parents logically to make sure that they are on board with your treatment. Most people who hear about methadone treatment automatically think of the problems with methadone rather than the benefits of methadone treatment.

Talking to your Parents

When you talk to your parents, you will need to sit them down at a time where they can listen to you. If they do not know about your drug addiction, then expect anger and wait until they calm down before approaching the subject of treatment again.

Explain to your parents why you want addiction treatment and which type of treatment you want. Show them the information you have on methadone and methadone maintenance and explain why it is the best treatment for you.

It is very important that you remain both calm and sober while you are talking to them. Most parents do not react well at first but if you are serious about methadone treatment keep talking to them. Show them that you have thought this decision through and why it will work to get you off opiates.

Although each parent is different, most respond well when you are calm and rational. Present your information and desires as calmly as you can.

Helping a Loved One Accept Methadone Maintenance Treatment

An estimated nine percent of the U.S. population abuses opiates within any given year, according to the U.S. National Library …

Finding a Treatment Clinic

If you are serious about using methadone to stop your heroin addiction, then there are treatment centers that can help you. For more information about methadone treatment for teens, call us at 800-994-1867Who Answers?. We can help you and your parents find the best type of treatment for you.