Questions and Answers about Methadone Centers

If you are addicted to opiates, you probably have heard of methadone treatment centers. These centers offer methadone to those who want treatment for an opiate addiction. Many people are curious about both opiate addiction and methadone treatment. There are some questions that most people ask when considering methadone as a treatment protocol.

What is Methadone?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methadone is drug that prevents the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. It is particularly helpful to those who also suffer from chronic pain as it controls the symptoms of withdrawal as well as relieves pain.

Methadone was originally developed as a painkiller but it also stops the symptoms of opiate withdrawal, allowing the patient to be comfortable during withdrawal. This is important because opiate withdrawal symptoms are often the reason why people relapse back into opiate addiction.

What is a Methadone Treatment Center?

Methadone treatment centers, or pain clinics, offer care to those suffering from chronic pain and opiate addiction.

A methadone treatment center, often called a pain clinic, is a place where a person can receive treatment for chronic pain, an opiate addiction, or both. A specialized addiction specialist helps you decide on the course of treatment you want to take and how you can best accomplish this course. Methadone treatment centers often provide methadone, counseling, and other addiction services to those that need them.

What is the Difference between Methadone Maintenance and Methadone Treatment?

Methadone maintenance and methadone treatment are slightly different. Although they are often lumped together, these two separate treatments.

Methadone maintenance – this is a treatment for both addiction and chronic pain. When someone suffers from chronic pain, they often become addicted to opiates. Methadone offers them a way to get off the opiates and still treat the chronic pain. People suffering from chronic pain can stay on the methadone indefinitely.

Methadone treatment – this treatment is for people who do not suffer from chronic pain but are addicted to opiates. In this treatment the addict is weaned off the methadone gradually so they do not experience the withdrawal symptoms.

Why do I have to Visit a Methadone Treatment Center Daily or Weekly?

Methadone is unfortunately addictive. This is why a person needs to be weaned off it gradually. Methadone is a strictly controlled drug. Some people can handle having more than one dose around while others will be tempted to take more than the prescribed amount. Also the dosage of methadone needs to be closely monitored at first. This is why daily or weekly visits are necessary.

Will I Always Need to Visit a Methadone Treatment Center?

Depending on your condition, you may not always need to visit a methadone treatment center. If you are a chronic pain patient, your doctor might prescribe a monthly regiment of the medication just like any other medication once you have stabilized. Others will be weaned off the drug, while their treatment is ongoing. In this case, you will stop visiting the methadone treatment center when you are weaned off the methadone.

Top 5 Benefits of Methadone Treatment Centers

Methadone centers have many benefits for both the individuals who attend the treatment, their families and friends, and society as …

Where Can I find More Information About Methadone Treatment?

You can find out more about methadone treatment centers by calling us at 800-994-1867Who Answers?. We can answer all of your questions about methadone treatment and methadone treatment centers.