3 Ways A Methadone Clinic Aids in Addiction Recovery

Methadone treatment programs have a long history of helping clients break the cycle of substance addiction. Whether methadone treatment lasts for a short time or for several years, it can be an important component of a full, productive life in recovery.

Lotus Recovery Centers’ methadone clinic in Prices Corner, Delaware provides individualized treatment to clients recovering from substance abuse. Methadone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is safe to use when dosages are supervised by medical professionals.

Not only is methadone safe, but it also has numerous short- and long-term benefits for clients who are recovering from opioid or alcohol addictions.

1. Methadone Eases Withdrawal Symptoms

Addictive drugs like heroin, morphine, certain prescription pain relievers, and other opioids can alter a user’s brain chemistry. They need more and more of the drug to achieve euphoria — the calming or “high” effect. And as the substances bind to the brain’s opioid receptors, the brain becomes used to this reward. Clients who use opioids like oxycodone to treat chronic pain may also become dependent on the pain relief their drugs provide.

As a result, cold turkey substance withdrawal can cause distressing physical and psychological symptoms. The body and brain have become accustomed to the drug’s effects, and without the drug, clients may experience symptoms like:

Restlessness and irritation
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Fever and body aches
Rapid heartbeat
Seizures and hallucinations

Methadone treatment can ease these symptoms by stabilizing the body and brain. Methadone binds to the same receptors in the brain that connect to opioids, but it works more slowly than addictive substances.

While methadone users don’t get the euphoria or “high” of the drug, they don’t go through the drastic changes of withdrawal. And if clients do experience any withdrawal discomfort, medical professionals in a supervised methadone clinic can address their needs.

Clients who struggle with chronic pain may find methadone makes their pain controllable without opioid abuse, and doctors will work with them to find a safe strategy for pain management.

2. Methadone Clinics Reduce the Risk of Relapse

One important function of methadone is to break the repeated cycle of euphoria, crashing, and craving—a rush of enjoyment from a drug, then a letdown or a painful sensation after the drug wears off.

Since methadone blocks the euphoria of opioids and alcohol, a methadone user won’t feel the same craving or desire for the substance. They’re less likely to relapse or return to drug use, and more likely to stick with a methadone treatment program.

By contrast, abstinence-only recovery programs are associated with a higher rate of relapse than methadone clinics. Because relapse carries many risks, including unsafe injections, increased possibility of criminal activity, and potentially fatal overdoses, methadone clinics can be life-saving.

3. Methadone Treatment Considers the Whole Person

Despite the name, methadone treatment programs do a lot more than administer methadone. Clients work with case managers, attend individual and group therapy sessions, learn healthy coping techniques, and develop strong support networks.

Substance use isn’t the only factor that medical professionals consider. An opioid or alcohol use disorder rarely develops in isolation — most clients will have other aspects of their lives that need attention in order to maintain sobriety. Treatment attends to the needs of the whole person, including physical and mental health, legal issues, interpersonal conflict resolution, employment obstacles, and more.

Methadone clinics are flexible enough to provide treatment on an inpatient or outpatient basis, which is ideal for long-term recovery. For some clients, methadone may be part of their treatment plan for several years. They can live independently and continue methadone use while working, attending school, or participating in community life.

Medication-Assisted Treatment at Lotus Recovery Centers

Lotus Recovery Centers provides medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Our experienced clinicians provide individualized care to each client, with a focus on long-term sobriety. Getting started with MAT first involves a thorough assessment to determine the best course of treatment. Then, we provide regular counseling and support services to help our clients achieve and maintain sobriety. During this process, we also work to address any other issues that may be contributing to substance abuse, such as mental health conditions or past trauma.

Find Out More at Lotus Recovery Centers

With help from our Prices Corner, Delaware methadone treatment center, many clients have overcome substance dependency and been able to sustain long-term recovery. In addition to supervised methadone doses, our center offers several types of therapy, including: