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Breaking Down Stigma: Understanding Methadone Treatment
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a pervasive and urgent crisis, deeply impacting the Finger Lakes community as well as those across the nation. There are many treatment options for individuals with OUD, and methadone is proven to be one of the most successful. Historically, Methadone has been a heavily stigmatized treatment option. At FLACRA, we are providing whole-person care and making treatment possible for those struggling with OUD and substance use disorder through programs such as our One-Stop Wellness Centers in Geneva, Penn Yan, and Rochester. We know that methadone and other medication-assisted treatments can be lifesaving and we will continue breaking down barriers to access and reducing stigma around these crucial treatment methods.
Misconceptions about Methadone Treatment
Methadone is a highly misunderstood treatment option. For many individuals, the idea of taking a new medication isn't understood as treatment or a first step in addiction recovery but is instead seen as a replacement for the opioid the individual with OUD was just misusing. This stigma around methadone manifests itself in shame from friends and family for taking the "easy" way out, as well as a widespread cultural misunderstanding of how methadone works.
Pressure on both a personal and societal level can cause those struggling with OUD to be more reluctant to access treatment. OUD can lead to severe impairment, an inability to function in daily life, chronic health issues, and in the case of an overdose, death. For opioid users, methadone can reduce the likelihood of dying from an opioid overdose by 59%. Methadone can be a lifesaving treatment for anyone struggling with opioid use disorder.
How Methadone Treatment Works
When an individual takes an opioid, such as heroin, morphine, or oxycodone, it activates the opioid receptors in their brain, giving them a feeling of euphoria and extreme relaxation. If a person continues to use opioids, over time the brain becomes dependent on them and is no longer able to function normally without the opioid. At this point, the person's body is dependent on the opioid to function properly, and they will go into physical withdrawal if they stop taking opioids. Physical withdrawal can include muscle and joint pain, chills, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Methadone is an opioid agonist, meaning it binds to mu-opioid receptors which opioids such as heroin, morphine, or oxycodone typically bind to. This blocks the effects of those opioids and reduces both cravings for opioids and physical withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is taken daily and often for a minimum of 12 months, but treatment plans and individual recovery goals may vary and change the length of treatment.
Methadone Treatment at FLACRA
FLACRA's Geneva Wellness Center, located at 116 Lewis Street, offers daily methadone dosing and other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), through a comprehensive integrated opioid treatment program. If you have clients in need of methadone treatment, please make a referral to us today. Call us at (315) 781-0771 for more information about Methadone and our other treatment options.
Our CEO, Jennifer Carlson, affirms FLACRA's commitment to providing innovative, whole-person care, even in the face of stigma. "At FLACRA, we champion our clients' recovery and strive to reduce stigma around substance use disorder and patient preferred treatment options. When combined with quality and compassionate care, methadone becomes a pathway to long-term recovery. We remain committed to promoting access and education about this life-saving care so that every individual has the opportunity to access healing".
How to Make a Referral
For Methadone inquiries, guest dosing, and transfer information, call 315-781-0771.
For dose confirmation, please call 315-239-1724.
Need guest dosing while visiting the area? Click here to complete the Guest Dose Request Form.
Planning to transfer your Opioid Treatment Program services to our clinic? Click here to complete the Transfer Request Form.
