How long does someone need to be on methadone maintenance?
Methadone Maintenance is a medical assisted, evidenced based treatment option that manages the disease of opiate addiction. The goal of maintenance treatment is to reduce illegal heroin use and the crime, death, and disease associated with heroin addiction. When taken as prescribed, methadone maintenance is intended to: 1) relive withdrawal symptoms caused from heroin and other opiates, 2) block the effects of opiates, and 3) keep the client comfortable by eliminating the strong cravings for street opiates, which is often a major factor in relapse. It is important to note when used in proper doses, methadone does not create, euphoria, sedation, and/or an analgesic effect. In addition, in order to meet state and federal standards, a methadone maintenance program must ensure that clients attend counseling and self-help meetings. For that reason, the length of time that someone remains on methadone maintenance is a decision that is made between the client and the treatment agency.
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