Pros and Cons of Inpatient Methadone Treatment

Inpatient methadone treatment is not for everyone. In fact, normally, methadone treatments only involve a short-term inpatient stay (or none at all) for the induction and stabilization periods of methadone detox programs followed by outpatient services with methadone administrations daily under medical supervision.

We all know that with addictions, anything can happen. People dependent on opioids come from diverse backgrounds with accumulated experiences, consequences, and unique needs that, in the least, the opioid abuse has disrupted their daily routines and control overuse of the drugs.

It’s the intensity and severity of the user’s dependence, their health, safety in using methadone, relapse potential, and the much needed specialized services that can constitute higher levels of care in an inpatient methadone treatment to help them recover.

Following, are the pros and cons of inpatient methadone treatment.

PRO

Inpatient methadone treatment places a barrier between outside influences or “triggers” that could otherwise lead to resuming illicit opioid or other substance abuse.

CON

Inpatient methadone treatment requires around the clock care.

Inpatient methadone treatment requires the person to remain in the facility around the clock which may not be feasible for someone who has work or other social responsibilities for which they cannot take that time away from.

PRO

Inpatient methadone treatment is structured in a way to keep the person focused on their recovery goals with more immediate and greater access to on-site professionals who can provide counseling and psychosocial interventions as adverse symptoms appear or to affect greater manageability throughout the recovery process.

CON

Patients can become conditioned to the structured living environment and be overwhelmed when they reenter society. Maintaining outside relationships can be difficult. Stressors in domestic or social relationships such as with employers may be lacking in communication and despite the efforts of the addict to get, clean, misunderstandings can leave the addict vulnerable to a lack of support, and therefore, relapse.

PRO

Inpatient methadone treatment centers are available to treat the patient with the highest levels of care and comprehensive on-site services or referrals to agencies they are currently affiliated with or have partnerships with.

CON

Comprehensive outpatient care in methadone treatment can provide comparable services at a reduction of the cost and with more convenience in scheduling appointments so the person can continue in daily routines while benefiting from greater confidentiality in receiving those services.

PRO

Durations are extended to provide the time to heal and treat complicated health and behavioral issues such as those that occur with age, pregnancy, physical or mental health illnesses, or chronic opioid dependence with high relapse potential.

CON

The SAMHSA recommends drug abuse treatment for individuals “in those settings that least interferes with their civil rights and freedom to participate in society.” Some inpatient methadone treatment providers require duration commitments of several weeks or months although the person may be perfectly suited to outpatient services beforehand.