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Methadone addiction treatment that actually works

Since we began treating substance abuse and addiction more than 10 years ago, our goal has been to help people with substance abuse and addiction through a comprehensive treatment program that treats the whole person for a lifetime.

Through our inpatient, outpatient, and even virtual addiction treatment programs, we offer an approach rooted in science- and evidence-based therapies designed and administered by board-certified addiction psychiatrists and physicians. That’s why our program is effective in 84% of patients, while 12-step programs only work for half, at best.

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Three column stats: 8% Recovery Rate, 5000 patients treated, and 1:5 Clinical staff to patient ratio.

Call today and get help. Our methadone addiction treatment experts are here for you.

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Treatment options for methadone addiction

Methadone is difficult to quit, which is why most users need the help of a comprehensive inpatient rehab program to finally get clean.

Inpatient treatment for methadone addiction needs to start with supervised medical detox (or withdrawal stabilization) administered by board-certified medical professionals who can monitor a patient’s health and prescribe anti-addiction medications such as Suboxone to reduce methadone withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings for the drug.

Drug detox alone is not a cure for opioid addiction. It’s a first step that allows patients to stabilize and fully participate in a long-term program of behavioral therapy and psychological treatment.

Research shows that this combination of treatments is the best way to restore a degree of normal function to the brain. It also helps patients address any underlying issues that led them to use in the first place so they can regain a stable and productive life.

Effective therapies and treatments for opioid addiction can be administered in an inpatient or outpatient setting after withdrawal stabilization, and may include:

  • Medication Management using anti-addiction medications
  • Individual counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy sessions
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
  • Supportive Outpatient Programs (SOP)
  • Maintenance Outpatient Programs (MOP)
  • Holistic treatment services

A range of treatment options based on you

Each person’s path to addiction is unique with different neurological, emotional, social and environmental contributing factors. That’s why the Enterhealth journey to recovery is personalized to meet individuals and families where they are. Whether you need immersive inpatient care or outpatient treatment, we offer a range of evidence-based treatment options and innovative therapies.

Enterhealth is the only facility with highly trained on-site addiction specialists, including PhDs, MDs and Master’s Level Therapists, who coordinate care at every stage. Because we understand the science behind addiction, we are best equipped to assess and treat individuals and families. Contact us to see why we’re the only facility with an 84% success rate.

RESIDENTIAL

PROVIDING A HEALING PLACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

Enterhealth Ranch offers inpatient care that’s on your side, not on the clock. It’s a nurturing environment where treatment is highly personalized and intensified. Every patient has a private room and 24/7 access to addiction trained specialists who use evidence-based treatments and comprehensive care, including medical detox, in-depth medical and psychological assessments, individual and group therapies, life skills and more.

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OUTPATIENT

PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN YOUR CONTINUUM OF CARE

Enterhealth’s Outpatient Center of Excellence, conveniently located in the Park Cities, is expertly staffed with board-certified addiction specialists. Our comprehensive program is designed for continued recovery care and provides individuals and families the support they need to reconnect with each other and thrive in recovery.

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ALUMNI

FINDING CONNECTIONS TO STRENGTHEN RECOVERY

The Enterhealth Alumni Association offers a unique opportunity for our patients to continue and thrive in their recovery by building relationships through shared experiences. This one-of-a-kind support environment provides a nurturing space where participants can gain understanding, learn from others and continue to rebuild their lives.

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CORPORATE SERVICES

SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES IN THEIR RECOVERY

Recovery is one of the most important benefits you can give your employees. Enterhealth provides comprehensive, evidence-based residential and outpatient programs and continued 24/7 technological support with Enterhealth Connect. It’s a tool employees can use to access expert care that fits their schedule for online consultations with highly trained addiction specialists, dynamic content including blogs, podcasts, videos, and continuously updated tools and resources that will aid in their recovery journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Methadone Addiction

What is methadone?

Methadone (brand names include Dolophine, Diskets, Methadose) is a painkiller that was developed in Germany during the late 1930s, but it gained popularity and is better known today as a treatment for addiction to other opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, or morphine.

Methadone is a man-made synthetic compound that binds to opioid receptors in the brain. Because it has a particularly long metabolic life, methadone can activate opioid receptors for a long time per dose, giving it a lower potential for addiction than short-acting opioids and leading to its use as a treatment for opioid addiction. However, it can still be abused and lead to addiction.

What are the side effects of methadone?

Even when taken correctly, methadone may cause side effects such as:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Skin rash
  • Itching
  • Sweating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Mood changes such as anxiety and fear

How do you know if you or someone you love is addicted to methadone?

Methadone use crosses the line into abuse and addiction (referred to clinically as opioid use disorder) whenever it is misused for the high produced by the drug instead of pain relief or addiction treatment.

As users consume more of the drug over time, the body becomes physically dependent, meaning they need to consume more of the drug to get the desired effects and prevent the intense, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that occur when the drug is not in their system.

Physical dependence often leads to psychological addiction as well, leading to anxiety, cravings, and other effects when not taking the medication.

Methadone addiction behaviors include:

  • Taking more than the prescribed dosage
  • “Doctor shopping” for multiple prescriptions
  • Tampering with methadone before taking it
  • Taking methadone in any way other than orally

Because methadone users often start with other drugs like heroin or oxycodone, they often return to their drug of choice if they can’t obtain the medication.

What are the symptoms of methadone withdrawal?

Even though methadone has a lower potential for addiction than other opioids, those who are physically dependent will experience opioid withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug. Due to the fact that it has a longer metabolism, these symptoms may not set in for 1-3 days after discontinuing use.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • Restlessness
  • Yawning
  • Sweating
  • Tearing eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Chills
  • Muscle and back aches
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Irritability, anxiety
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased heartbeat or breathing

These problems vary in severity and duration depending on the specific methadone dose taken and duration of use.

How do you treat methadone withdrawal?

Like other opioid drugs, methadone detox, also known as withdrawal stabilization, involves tapering a patient’s dose slowly over time to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Other long-acting opioids such as Suboxone may be substituted, as they offer other potential benefits.

Patients usually experience the most discomfort during the first 1-3 days of the opioid withdrawal phase, so a combination of mild sedatives and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen is frequently combined with the longer-acting opioid to help make the patient more comfortable during this time.

How do medications like Suboxone help with opioid withdrawal?

Medications to treat opioid addiction such as Suboxone (buprenorphine with naloxone) work through the same opioid receptors in the brain that methadone affects without producing a euphoric high, making them safer and less likely to result in addiction.

As a result, these medications can reduce cravings and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, allowing patients to actively participate in treatment while the dose is slowly tapered down.

How long does it take to detox from methadone?

Usually, after three days of Suboxone management, withdrawal symptoms and opioid cravings are minimized enough for patients to participate fully in a treatment program.

Can you overdose on methadone?

Due to the strength of a single dose and the fact that the body metabolizes it so slowly, methadone can easily build up in a person’s system, increasing the risk of overdose.

That’s why doses need to be tailored to specific patients to avoid causing adverse reactions. Taking too much methadone or incorrectly spacing out doses can result in a life-threatening overdose.

Methadone overdose symptoms include:

  • Slowed or shallow breathing
  • Extreme drowsiness leading to coma
  • Cold and clammy skin
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Death

These symptoms can be deadly if not treated immediately.

Is methadone a controlled substance?

Yes. Methadone is classified by the DEA as a Schedule II controlled substance for its highly addictive properties, so possessing, sharing, giving away or selling methadone without a prescription is against the law.

*State standard is 1:10 clinical staff to patient ratio