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A methadone clinic is a clinic which has been established for the dispensing of methadone (Dolophine), a schedule II narcotic analgesic, to those who abuse heroin and other opiates. The focus of these clinics is the elimination or reduction of opiate usage by putting the patient on methadone. Some clinics also offer short- or long-term detoxification services to their patients using methadone. A common term for the type of treatment at a Methadone Clinic is "Replacement Therapy". While generally considered successful as a treatment method, the use of this maintenance treatment is often viewed as controversial. Methadone is considered a very helpful drug for people that use the drug the way it is prescribed.

Methadone clinics in the United States operate under close federal observation and regulation. The medication is monitored by nursing staff and is prescribed by a physician. Regulations require that to enter this form of treatment, the person must show current addiction to an opiate. This is generally established by a simple urine sample. A medical examination is given prior to administration of the methadone, and new patients are often tested for certain conditions which are known to be prevalent in addict populations, such as HIV, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis.

In the United States, there are generally two types of Methadone Clinics, public and private. The public clinics are generally cheaper to attend. However, there is usually a waiting list due to limited funding. The private clinics are more expensive to attend but usually have either a short or no waiting list.

In many parts of the United States, methadone clinics are few and far between, which presents problems for addicts seeking methadone treatment who live far from a clinic. The greatest concentrations of clinics are in California, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey.

An important part of treatment for addiction is counseling. All Methadone clinics will offer counseling by regulation. However, the emphasis on counseling will vary widely. Clinics require attendance at counseling groups as well as individual counseling contacts. It is generally accepted that the more intensive the counseling contacts the individual is willing to submit to, the higher the success rate of the program.

Although not required by regulation at this time in the United States, people are usually encouraged to attempt other types of treatment methods prior to entering methadone treatment programs. Most treatment programs will only accept someone to treatment after failure at less intense treatment methods. While not restricted to adults, this treatment method is generally not considered for people under the age of 18.

Clinics operate as any other addiction medical facility. The staff usually consist of a physician to monitor the medications and treatments and nurses to administer the medication and ensure effective delivery (i.e.. the person will actually consume the product). Additionally, drug counselors will be available for individual and group counseling, and there will be administrative staff to run the administrative functions. Frequently, the clinical operations of the clinic will be housed in a hospital setting although this is not required by US law. Methodone is a legal substance control treatment therapy.

CrestwoodComet, 05/12/10 1:01
It's so sad--but so very typical--that people have no comprehension of how methadone treatment works, of why it is needed--often long term, like any other medication for a chronic disorder--or of the fact that methadone treatment is far and away the most successful method of treatment for opioid addiction. These residents likely wouldn't think twice about a local AA group meeting in their church, library, etc near children and businesses--but do they stop to consider that these meetings attract the very same patients in the throes of addiction? That many are still using or have relapsed as they attend? That many have criminal records? That drug dealing and swapping goes on? But you never hear a peep of protest--and there are seldom any issues affecting neighbors or people in the vicinity for either AA meetings OR methadone clinics.
The clinics come, the protest goes on and on, sometimes citizens get so worked up they themselves become the threat--throwing bricks through clinic windows, yelling threats and insults at patients and staff, leaving bags of dog feces on the clinic doorstep, etc. Then, the clinic either gives up and moves away, leaving the town's addicted citizens without access to the most successful method of treatment--OR they persue it in court, the law upholds their right to stay, and....NOTHING HAPPENS. The evil, drooling, child snatching goons who must surely live under a bridge somewhere--not in OUR neighborhood (shudder)--never appear. Instead, they finally see that these are people just like themselves, trying to get well.

I taught a class to a group of new clinic patients in my area yesterday, and as I sat with them--a middle aged, middle class, well groomed married couple, a young, fit-looking crew cut man who was released from the service after being injured in duty and who developed a problem with painkillers and who is currently attending college, and two other clean cut young men--well dressed and polite--I mentioned to them how often I as a patient advocate deal with these Not In My BackYard situations and how the public fears them and pictures them as some monstrous threat--and they all just shook their heads in confusion. It was a sad moment.



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