Methadone clinics are a groundbreaking form of medication-assisted treatment for drug addiction. Methadone is a medicine specifically designed to block the addictive properties of opioids, including prescription painkillers and heroin. It’s one of the most affordable and widely used treatment medications in the rehabilitation space.
When clients enter treatment at methadone clinics in Delaware, they’re supervised by a licensed physician and monitored through detox and withdrawal. The clinic also helps clients through the process of long-term recovery and sobriety.
1. Methadone Detox Centers Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms
Opioids are extremely addictive, and the brain becomes accustomed to the drug over time. The first hours, days, and weeks of withdrawal can cause painful physical symptoms as the body and brain adjust to the drug’s absence.
Methadone is designed to ease symptoms so clients can stabilize quickly. Known as an “opioid agonist,” methadone activates the same brain receptors that opioids activate. But methadone doesn’t have the harmful properties of opioids, and it lacks the euphoria or high that opioids offer.
A single dose of methadone can work for 24 to 36 hours. This means clients may need only one dose of methadone daily. The dose reduces cravings and helps stabilize the brain by restoring chemical balance. The goal is for the brain to function the way it did before drug addiction.
Another benefit of methadone is that it doesn’t have a ceiling effect or threshold where the drug loses effectiveness. Clients who require higher doses of methadone to stabilize can still take the medicine safely.
When clients feel more stable and settled with fewer symptoms, they’re better able to focus on other aspects of recovery like counseling and planning for the future.
2. Methadone Clinics Tailor Treatment to the Individual
A methadone detox center has a high level of supervision, allowing doctors to identify how much medication each client needs.
Methadone requires a prescription, and doses are supervised by trained clinic staff members. Doctors work with each individual to find the right dose. They take the client’s entire medical history into account, pay attention to how the client responds to treatment, and change dosage levels if needed.
At first, clients visit a methadone clinic in Delaware daily for outpatient treatment. As they progress in treatment, some clients achieve enough stability and independence to make less frequent visits. The length of treatment can also vary depending on the client’s needs—methadone is safe to take for several years.
3. Methadone Clinics Set Clients Up for Long-Term Success
Methadone’s stabilizing properties reduce the risk of relapse. When the client’s body and brain become accustomed to methadone, they’re less likely to experience strong cravings for addictive opioids.
But medication is only one aspect of methadone detox center treatment. Medical professionals prioritize the client’s overall health and wellness, and they know recovery is a lifelong process.
Staff members help clients identify their recovery goals and encourage them to enlist the support of friends and family. Clinics offer behavioral counseling, including individual, group, and family therapy. Counseling helps clients uncover the root causes of their addiction and develop better coping mechanisms.
Since our Delaware methadone clinic offers outpatient treatment, clients can continue participating in their daily lives, including work, school, and family activities. At the same time, daily visits to the clinic offer a goal-based structure that can be helpful in the early days of recovery.
Over time, methadone has been proven to have multiple positive effects for people in recovery:
- It is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Methadone use reduces the risk of unsafe drug injections and infectious disease transmission.
- The medication is associated with improved social skills and quality of life.
- Methadone helps clients reduce or stop their use of other substances, such as alcohol.
Heal from Opioid Addiction at Lotus Recovery Centers
Experience the benefits of methadone treatment for yourself. If you or someone you love is ready to start recovery, our Prices Corner, Delaware clinic is ready to work with you. We strive to make treatment accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Reach out at 833.922.1615 to find out if a methadone clinic is the right choice for you.
