Methadone clinics are specialized care centers that offer a treatment called methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Although methadone can be used for a variety of purposes, these clinics use this pharmaceutical agent to treat and manage withdrawal in long-term opiate addicts. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, what makes methadone so widely used is its long, extensively researched past, relative safety, affordability and usefulness when compared to other methods of treating withdrawal. Talking to a doctor and using other resources are great ways of finding and contacting these clinics.
Step 1
Consider talking one-on-one with a doctor. Although governmental organizations, private groups and the Internet as a whole offers great resources and a wide range of information, talking to a medical professional is still the best way to receive information and talk about starting treatment. A good place to start is your local emergency room. There, you will likely be referred to other doctors and treatment facilities that are better equipped to help you. This option is the most personal method of finding an MMT clinic, and is likely to produce the best results. Also, doctors have obligations to protect both your privacy and your rights, making them very trustworthy.
Step 2
Spend time researching clinics on a computer. Several organizations and groups, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, offer convenient resources online that will help you find a substance abuse treatment clinic. Most of these locators are easy to use and give you instant results. These locators usually function by asking you for some basic information like the state you reside in, your address or your ZIP code. These search tools then compile a list of the closest clinics to your location. Be sure to contact these clinics by phone to make sure they are credited and certified to offer MMT, since not all treatment centers can offer this service.
Step 3
Use any search engine to look for toll-free phone numbers dedicated to helping drug users. Methadone-Clinic.com and MethadoneTreatment.net both offer toll-free numbers which you can call. The operators working at these hotlines will probably ask you for some simple information about your location and possible preferences in the location of your MMT clinic. After receiving this information, they will likely guide you to the clinic best-suited to help you. These hotlines are extremely discreet and may not even require you to give them your name.
Tips and Warnings
- Search for local organizations that offer services like support groups. Managing withdrawal may be easier with the company of others going through similar experiences.
- Arrange an appointment at your doctor's office. The use of methadone is extensively researched and considered safe. However, this does not mean its use is safe for everyone. A medical professional will be able to determine if methadone is right for you.
