Choosing a methadone clinic is a big and brave decision. A methadone clinic is a place where a person who is addicted to opioid-based drugs can receive medication-based therapy. Methadone clinics are medical facilities where professional staff members work to assist patients with rehabilitation and the first steps to recovery. In some cases, methadone clinics may be the appropriate choice for those in early recovery. In other circumstances, different types of recovery programs may better serve the individual. Regardless of the type of treatment chosen, comprehensive care is always needed.
A 2016 report by Common Ground Health labeled Chemung County as having the highest rate of opioid abuse throughout the Finger Lakes region in the state of New York.
There are a lot of methadone clinics throughout the United States. Trinity, in Elmira, New York, offers prevention, evaluations, referrals, treatment, and relapse prevention.
Understanding what takes place during methadone treatment, should make the decision to seek help less overwhelming.
What is Methadone?
Methadone is a medication used to help people lessen or quit their use of heroin or other opiates. When taken as prescribed, it is safe and effective. Methadone can be administered as a pill, in liquid form, or in the form of a wafer. The medication can only be given via a SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) certified opioid treatment center.
Although the medication must be prescribed by a doctor, it is not a cure for addiction issues. It is considered effective during treatment and during the rehabilitation treatment process.
Treatment Options
Trinity of Elmira, NY focuses on patients who are suffering from drug addition, alcoholism, drug abuse and/or patients who suffer from mental health problems.
After patients pass through both physical and mental evaluations, a qualified therapist will determine which treatment option is best for the patient. The treatment options available at the facility are:
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- Outpatient Treatment: Patients visit the clinic for treatment daily; methadone suppresses drug withdrawal symptoms for a day.
- Individualized Treatment: This means that a rehab facility crafts an entire program for each client based on exactly what that patient needs. This service is typically offered at the high-end facilities.
- Medically Assisted Detox: Patients are monitored 24/7 until withdrawal is over; their safety and comfort are prioritized.
- Vivitrol Detox: Vivitrol is a medication used to treat addiction. It is injected into the muscle of an addict once every four weeks to help control drug and alcohol cravings. Once administered, the medication takes effect within two days and lasts for an entire month.
- Suboxone Detox: Suboxone is medication used in treating those addicted to opioids, illegal or prescription. Suboxone helps alleviate and potentially remove opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- Naltrexone Detox: Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist for patients suffering from alcoholism or an opioid dependence. This non-addictive drug works by decreasing the cravings that patients have when they stop drinking alcohol or quit using opiates.
- Antabuse Detox: Antabuse is a prescription drug given to patients recovering from alcoholism. The medication is effective at treating alcoholism because it can stop a person from drinking by changing the way they respond to alcohol.
- Campral Detox: Campral is a drug that is used to treat alcohol dependence. Medical professionals use Campral in conjunction with psychological support to help patients overcome their alcohol addictions.
- Nicotine Replacement (NRT): The most commonly used of quit smoking medications. NRT reduces withdrawal feelings by giving you a small controlled amount of nicotine without the other dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes. This small amount of nicotine helps satisfy your desire for nicotine and reduces the urge to smoke.
- 12-Step Treatment: Twelve-Step programs remain a commonly recommended and used treatment for various types of addiction.
- Aftercare Support: Subsequent interventions that follow the initial treatment. Aftercare can be in the form of debriefings, or it may require educating new skills and coping strategies.
Therapy Choices
There are a variety of therapy choices at Trinity Elmira, NY. The treatment and therapy plan are both drafted at the same time to ensure the patient’s individual needs are being met effectively. All therapy programs are designed to meet a plethora of needs and are all facilitated by licensed and experienced medical professionals.
The therapy choices include:
- Individual Therapy: Also referred to as counseling. Therapy in which the client is treated on a one-on-one basis with a therapist to build a rapport and work together to solve the client’s issues.
- Group Therapy: A form of psychosocial treatment where a small group of patients meets regularly to talk, interact, and discuss problems with each other and the group leader (therapist).
Group therapy strives to give individuals a safe and warm place where they can work out problems and emotional issues.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy program is most common for those with heroin addiction and in methadone treatment. Counselors work with patients on developing various coping skills that help with substance cravings and general stress factors that lead to the drug use.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): A specific type of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy that helps better treat borderline personality disorder. It can be used for the treatment of other kinds of mental health disorders as well.
- Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT): Formerly called rational therapy and rational emotive therapy. It’s an approach that helps clients identify irrational beliefs and negative thought patterns that may lead to emotional or behavioral issues.
- Trauma Therapy: Therapy that counselors use to help people overcome psychological trauma. According to BetterHelp.com, “A traumatic event is defined as one in which you perceive a threat to your life, bodily integrity, or sanity”. It is a variety of therapies that can be used alone or together to help clients deal with trauma and move on with their lives.
Conclusion
Opioid addiction is an ongoing epidemic that not only affects individuals, but communities as a whole. Choosing recovery is a choice; if you choose yes, the commitment is immense, but the payoff is stability. Over time and with hard work, recovery becomes a lifestyle. If you or a loved one has an opioid addiction, Trinity in Elmira, NY can help.
