An alternative to going “cold turkey”, methadone treatment clinics have become popular with recovering heroin addicts who wish to go through the detox process in a controlled environment with fewer withdrawal symptoms that generally associated with the natural detox options found in drug addiction treatment programs.   However, methadone treatment clinics are not for everyone.   Consider the follows pros and cons of treatment before enrolling in a program.

What are the “pros” of Methadone Treatment?

• Fewer withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is designed to help individual ease off of their opiate addiction with fewer withdrawal symptoms than associated with natural detox.   This is accomplished by gradually reducing the methadone dosage over a period of weeks or months.
• Price. Methadone treatment is often less expensive than the detox provided at an addiction treatment center.   In addition, a growing number of methadone clinic costs are covered under insurance.

What are the “cons” of Methadone Treatment?

• Travel. Many people find it difficult to travel each day to a methadone treatment clinic that may be clear across town.   This problem is compounded by the fact that recovering heroin addicts are often in no condition to drive themselves, and therefore need to rely on friends and family to take them to the clinic each day.
• Schedule. For methadone treatment to be effective, the individual must attend on a very strict schedule and not miss any appointments.  To the point above, this may be difficult for the individual whose life is still in a state of chaos because of their heroin addiction.
• Perceived stigma. Unfortunately, there is still a perceived social stigma surrounding methadone clinics.   A large percentage of recovering addicts deeply value their privacy, and attending a public clinic to receive their methadone dosage may seem unattractive.
• Addiction. A small but significant number of people who use methadone become addicted to the synthetic opiate.   That leaves the individual fighting a “two-front” battle of methadone addiction and the original heroin addiction.

If you are struggling with heroin addiction and need to find drug treatment help, contact us today at .   This is a confidential, free helpline created to answer your questions about addiction and get you the help you need.