Opioid addiction continues to claim lives in our nation daily. Many people are passed away due to this addiction, and those are left looking for ways to get help. For their assistance, there are methadone clinics.
Sadly, in most cases, parents and loved ones have done all they can, but the reality is that only the individual suffering from opioids or any other drug addiction can help himself. According to the report of the national institute on drug abuse, almost 21-29% of people who are prescribed opioids will misuse them.
In addition, about 8-12% will suffer from opioid use disorder, and in severe cases, 4-6% will end their lives using heroin. The percentages might be looking a small fraction; they represent thousands of people becoming addicted to opioids each year.
When someone faces an addiction issue, the future seems hopeless and black. One only looks for the next high dose for survival. But, then, all the feelings of joy, happiness, and being healthy disappear, and the hope of life are gone forever.
Related Article: How Opioid Addiction Occurs? Effects and Risk Factors
What Are Methadone Clinics?
To improve the chances of long-term recovery of opioid users, evidence-based treatments work with medication-assisted treatment. One of the best and most commonly used medications in medication-assisted treatment is methadone.
If we talk about methadone, it is a slow-acting drug used to treat opioids addiction. Since the 1950s, it has been used to treat heroin addiction, and in the most recent era, it is used to treat addiction to other opioids. It is particularly helpful for those with opioid addiction to remove the difficult withdrawal symptoms and to help to avoid relapse.
Methadone is a prescription drug that an individual can take after consulting with a doctor. The individual can take it either in liquid or tablet form. Most people use a methadone clinic, and most do not want to go to the methadone clinics. Before knowing why opioid drug users do not want to go to the methadone clinics, let’s first get to know how methadone clinics work?
How Do Methadone Clinics Work?
The purpose of establishing methadone clinics is solely to dispense the medications used in drug addiction or therapy treatments. Most individuals under methadone maintenance therapy need to have a daily dose of methadone and close maintenance for the first seven to ten days.
After the initial treatment period, most individuals can visit the methadone clinic for a daily dose. After that, they need to visit the clinic for at least six months to get the daily dose. Then, after six months, if the individual meets the clinic requirements and complies with the expectation, they can take the medication at home for a few days and even, in some cases, for weeks.
It is essential to take the prescribed amount of methadone and adhere to all protocols. This is how methadone clinics work in helping the people suffering from addiction and ensuring their long-lasting recovery.
In addition, research study shows that when a person stays at a methadone clinic and gets treatment for more than one year, he develops positive lifestyles changes. These changes include a reduction in the transmission of disease and criminal behaviors.
Why Do Drug Users Hesitate To Visit Clinics?
Many opioid drug users hesitate and do not want to go to the clinic because it is a long-term, slow-acting, and painful treatment. Many people fear being in pain for the long term. In addition, between 70-90% of drug users who discontinue methadone treatment and maintenance will relapse. The high relapse rate might be due to the severity of cases and the long-term effects of opioid use.
In addition, some patients have to stay on methadone drug for the rest of their lives. It generates criticism on the effectiveness of methadone clinics, due to which drug users hesitate to visit the clinics. According to a research review, methadone maintenance centers or clinics have decreased the likelihood that heroin-dependent patients will use the heroin.
However, these clinics do not decrease the mortality rate or crime. Nevertheless, with all the studies and research, it is clear that methadone clinics are effective centers for rehabilitation. But it is always difficult to take the first step toward getting the right addiction treatment.
If you or any of your loved ones are suffering from addiction, you can rest assured that there is help. So, just take the first step and save your loved ones.
Related Article: How Ibogaine Helps To Treat Opioid Addiction?
