Methadone Rehab

Methadone is a synthetic opioid that has a long history of beneficial uses in opioid detoxification and maintenance treatments. Since its debut as a powerful pain relief medication in the 1990’s, parallel increases in abuse, overdoses, and addictions have been on the rise. Methadone, like other opioids, closely interacts with endogenous opioid receptors in the brain that have significant influences in rewards, motivations, and addictive behaviors. This means that methadone, too, can be addictive and the consequences of its use can be far more extreme than the user anticipates.

Methadone rehab helps people cease use of the drug and return to more stable and productive lives. According to the NIDA, “Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug abuse.” Full rehabilitation involves addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the individual to promote optimal health while motivating changes that improve their overall quality of life.

Types of Treatment (Inpatient vs. Outpatient)

Holistic treatments can help you quit methadone for good.

Successful recovery in a methadone rehab can be achieved through both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Outpatient methadone rehab can offer many of the same components available through inpatient methadone rehab including detox, counseling, education, referrals, cognitive behavioral therapies, 12-step group support, and relapse prevention. These environments are less restrictive than an inpatient methadone rehab allowing the individual to remain involved in their family, school, work, and other social obligations, but, also exposing them to outside influential triggers that could lead to relapse.

Inpatient methadone rehab offers around the clock services including access to counselors, medical, and psychiatric specialists that can intervene at the most opportune times ensuring comfort and promoting treatment engagement. In an inpatient methadone rehab the individual remains in the facility, 24 hours a day, free from outside triggers, so they can focus on their recovery, knowing that they are protected, not alone, and in the best of care.

Benefits of Holistic Treatment

Nurturing the mind, body, and soul is important in achieving the optimal health possible, preventing illness, and improving one’s overall quality of life. Addressing the whole self of the individual is crucial to giving them a solid foundation to rely upon once they leave the formal treatment setting.

Sometimes, the consequences of one’s inability to recognize how closely related their physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing is can be underestimated. Research shows that ongoing stress in any one area of a person’s life can lead to anxiety, depression, lack of confidence or self worth, social disorders, and lack of motivation which creates more imbalances in their overall wellbeing.

Holistic treatment addresses the person rather than merely their methadone dependency and consequences providing much needed services in continuum to help maximize the outcome success. Recovery can be enhanced through proper nutrition, rest and relaxation, healthy activities, recreation, complimentary or alternative therapies, and a peer-supportive environment with others trying to gain their freedom from methadone.

Should I Choose Holistic Treatment? (Inpatient or Outpatient?)

According to the NIDA,” Matching treatment settings, interventions, and services to an individual’s particular problems and needs is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society.”

Outpatient services provided in a methadone rehab have been known to be effective when a person has; ongoing obligations that limit their commitments to an inpatient methadone rehab, a solid support system to help them stay free from drugs in their home environments, are willing and able to comply with treatment protocols, and when the outpatient provider has the appropriate resources to treat them effectively.

Inpatient methadone rehabs offer a protective and structured environment where intensified and specialized services can be provided in continuum to help maximize the outcome success. An inpatient methadone rehab is appropriate for someone with a chronic or severe methadone dependency and co-existing conditions of pregnancy, compromised health, or the lack of a positive social support network in their home environment is indicated.

How Long Will Methadone Rehab Take?

Methadone rehab programs usually offer treatment plans lasting 30, 60, or 90 days with the 30 day programs focusing on detox. Detox, alone, however, is insufficient in maintaining long term abstinence. Treatment goals and objectives will be different for everyone and the rehabilitation durations will vary accordingly and by the methadone rehab programs they participate in.

According to the NIDA, “Research indicates that most addicted individuals need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use and that the best outcomes occur with longer durations of treatment.”

For some individuals the best of methadone recovery occurs after they have restored their health and confidence in their ability to achieve positive and worthwhile goals. Getting past the consequences of their addiction can a take a while and it may be suitable for them to transition to a residential treatment facility for several months longer.

What to Expect in Methadone Rehab

In a methadone rehab you can expect the following:

• Intake – Including orientation to the program and preliminary assessments of drug use patterns, histories, potential withdrawal complications, and treatment goals. Evaluating the physical, psychiatric, and social aspects of the individual is important to determine appropriate treatment levels and treatment strategies.
• Detox – Methadone is a dangerously tricky drug that works differently and much longer than most other opioids with a half-life of around 24 – 36 hours and reserved amount remaining stored in the body unchanged for days. This means that methadone detox may present a higher degree of withdrawal severity with longer durations. In the best of scenarios, the individual can be gradually weaned off of methadone over several days or weeks.
• Addiction Therapies – Counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapies help to identify and mitigate self-sabotaging thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that addiction brings about. Learning to cope with every day struggles without having to use methadone is a key element. Family and group sessions help to create positive support networks and improve social functioning that can be powerful abstinence reinforcements.
• Specialized Treatments –Co-existing physical and mental health disorders are commonly caused by, or causes of, substance abuse that methadone rehab providers recognize as critical conditions that must be addressed in order for recovery to be successful. Traumas such as domestic violence, rape, abuse, or neglect are some other conditions where specialized treatments can be most beneficial.
• After-care Services – Relapse can still be a major concern once formal treatment ends and after-care services help to reduce these risks. Participation in mutual aid groups such as 12-Step recovery support groups can help to sustain recovery motivations. Ongoing counseling for any issues not previously resolved is important.

What does Methadone Rehab Cost? Is Insurance Accepted?

Methadone rehab costs will vary by the facility, professional staffing, amenities, and program durations. Some rehabs are more luxurious than others and can costs upwards of thousands of dollars. Many methadone rehabs accept insurance or have payment plans available while others participate in government, state, or local funding projects to offset costs for low income individuals. It’s best to check with the facility directly to know exactly what options they have available as frequent changes can occur.

Where Should I Go for Help?

Accredited methadone rehab sourcescan be verified through theSAMHSA’s Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov. For free or reduced cost services, select from the “Payment Assistance” options when designing your search.

Physicians, hospitals, and local health centers may be able to steer you in the right directions having knowledge of the resources available in your local area. Online exploration is the most viable source of information with other resources available.

Other contacts may include local colleges, churches, or Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups that have a vast array of resource information available.

Methadone Recovery- What Happens Next?

According to the SAMHSA While each person experiences his or her own unique journey, for many people, recovery emerges from hope; is supported by peers, relationships, and social networks; is holistic; involves a focus on strengths and responsibilities; and is culturally based and influenced”

Making healthy and positive lifestyle changes may mean you have to give up some of your closest friends and avoid a lot of things you were used to doing even before you became addicted, but in so doing, you empower yourself to remain abstinent. Attending 12-Step recovery meetings can help to sustain you in recovery while building lasting and supportive relationships that make a difference.

The Time to Change is Now

SAMHSA defines recovery from mental and/or substance use disorders as a “process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” The time for change is now. Are you ready to turn your life around?