Most communities frown on opening a new methadone clinic in their area, because it would bring drug users into the neighborhood. However, drug addicts are already there. A July 2021 study showed that America has at least three million opioid drug addicts. They come from all walks of life, and all races.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 128 Americans die every day from opioid overdoses.
A methadone treatment center helps stop this wave of destruction to the lives of addicts, their families, and their communities. Partnership to End Addiction describes how.
Methadone only needs to be taken once a day, unlike opioid drugs which need to be taken many times a day to not only give a high, but to eliminate withdrawal symptoms. It takes time for methadone to work. It eventually stops painful withdrawal symptoms. Addiction comes from wanting to stop withdrawal symptoms and from cravings. Cravings come from getting high. Methadone, over time, greatly reduces these cravings.
Because of the powerful nature of methadone, more than one day’s dose cannot be given out for months to an addict. Addicts have been known to sell their methadone. Addicts need to pass drug tests and meet other requirements before they are allowed to take home more than one day’s dose. That’s why clinics and mobile methadone vans are necessary.
