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Health and Human Services
Supervision & Treatment Services
Methadone Treatment Services

Patient Profile

Most methadone patients in our program are in their thirties or forties and have a 15-25 year drug use history. The program has a capacity of 110 patients, about half of whom are women. Poly-substance use is common. In addition to heroin and other opiates, alcohol, marijuana and nicotine are the most frequently used drugs.

People enter the Methadone Program with a range of medical and psychosocial problems. Common health problems include a history of hepatitis or damaged liver function, acute abscesses at drug injection sites, and poor dental health. Other problem areas include extreme preoccupation with drug seeking and drug use, disturbed relationships, arrested personal development, financial problems, lowered productivity, and legal problems. Individuals are also at high risk of contracting communicable diseases, such as TB, hepatitis, and HIV. The patient's addiction often has a major impact on family members.

In order to admit an individual for methadone treatment, the program must document at least a one-year history of opiate dependence, as well as current addiction. An individual must also have at least one opiate detox attempt. Without that, we refer the person to Buckley House or another program for detox. Priority for admission is given to eligible pregnant women and people who are HIV positive.

Treatment Goals

The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate illicit substance use. This usually stops the criminal behaviors used to maintain the patient's opiate addiction. On-going treatment goals include addressing physical health problems; developing basic living skills; improving self-image, coping skills, and relationships; and developing productive use of time and skills for recovery. The program also seeks to reduce the spread of communicable diseases, such as HIV. The overall goal of treatment is recovery from addiction to all substances and improved quality of life.

Treatment Services

Intake into the program is supervised by the program's medical director. Intake includes gathering medical and treatment histories, reviewing the results of the initial physical exam and lab work, referral for HIV and TB testing, and an extensive interview with the patient. After intake, the patient is assigned to a primary counselor, and begins attending methadone dispensing at the clinic. Methadone dispensing is supervised by a licensed pharmacist. Patients initially attend the clinic six days a week for dispensing. All patients get a "take-out" dose for Sundays and holidays.

Treatment plans are individualized to meet each person's needs. Treatment services are offered as follows.

• Methadone dispensing and monitoring
• Group, individual, couple, and/or family counseling
• Urine drug screens
• An annual physical exam and lab work
• Crisis intervention
• Drug education
• HIV education, risk assessment and testing
• Medical supervision of treatment
• Referral to support and self-help groups
• Coordination with other community resources

In addition to individual, couple, and group treatment, the program involves family members in the patient’s care. Family treatment is provided as indicated to educate and support partners, children, or parents about the patient's addiction, family issues related to addiction, and the patient's treatment. Topics for group treatment include relapse prevention, relaxation and meditation, sound and music therapy, grief and loss, two women's groups, and a men’s group. A drug education and parenting series is also offered.

Program Staff

The Methadone Program is staffed by three certified chemical dependency counselors, an office assistant, and several part-time medical staff. Each counselor has many years of experience in substance abuse treatment. The medical staff includes a physician who serves as medical director, a physician’s assistant who performs physical exams, a licensed pharmacist, a licensed nurse practitioner and a clinical supervisor. The program is supervised by the Supervision & Treatment Services Program Clinical Services Supervisor.