Photo by Ashkan Forouzani

Originally Posted On: https://pinnacletreatment.com/blog/what-is-a-methadone-doctor/

A methadone doctor is an expert in treating substance use disorders. He/she may handle other SUDs, but treating opioid dependency is their primary role. Why particularly opioid misuse? The statistics related to the misuse of this drug are quite alarming, with a staggering number of prescribed and illegal opioid misuse cases reported in the U.S. every year. Methadone doctors play a crucial role in saving those opioid-dependent individuals in the U.S.

What is Methadone?

An explanation for methadone doctors is impossible without understanding what methadone is. Methadone is a pain-relieving medication that came to the U.S. in 1974. Surprisingly, it became clear that this medication can be used to great effect in treating opioid dependency.

Opioid Misuse in the U.S.

The statistics related to opioid addiction explains the importance of methadone doctors. Opioid medications bind to the brain’s regions that regulate pain. An increase in dopamine is the next reaction that takes place in the brain. Dopamine is the “feel-good” hormone, and you can now understand why people get addicted to opioids, such as morphine, oxymorphone, heroin, and codeine.

• About 10.3 million American adults misused opioids in 2018.
• About 9.9 million out of that 10.3 million were prescription medication over users.
• About 47,600 deaths occurred in the U.S. in 2017 by opioid overdosing.
• A devastating number of 130 people die every day by opioid-related drug overuse.

What can you gather from the above statistics? Are you misusing any opioids? Have you come to a point where you realize there’s an addiction to any pain relievers? Now is the right time to find a methadone doctor near you. Taking action is highly advisable to save yourself or a loved one from such SUDs.

Common Signs of Opioid Use Disorder:

You may experience or observe one or more of the following signs:

• Obsession with prescribed opioids.
• You often visit the doctor and ask them to prescribe you opioids.
• Increasing the dosage without a doctor’s recommendation.
• Inability to stop using.
• Overdose on opioids despite negative health issues.

Find a Methadone Doctor in Your Area

You may have seen one of these doctors on TV. These doctors usually offer their specialized services at one of 1,500+ methadone clinics across the U.S. Methadone clinics and doctors are closely monitored and regulated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Methadone Doctors and Procedure

Most doctors and clinics offer the following services for patients:

• Initial Examination
• Services for Pregnancy
• Assessment
• Counseling
• Drug Screening

A methadone doctor conducts an initial examination to confirm your need for treatment. Initial interviews and screening exams are performed during this stage. The patient can receive methadone on-site once the doctor confirms the patient’s eligibility. The doctor may sometimes allow his/her patients to take the medication to their home under certain circumstances.

The methadone doctor provides a daily dose of methadone. The doctor may ask you to participate in counseling sessions, too. This combination of medication and counseling is considered the gold standard of treatment for opioid use disorder, and the standard that Pinnacle Treatment Centers adheres to for its treatment approach. All patients should understand that a full recovery from opioid use disorder is only possible with long-term commitment and treatment.

Benefits of Consulting Methadone Doctors

• Their treatment is highly effective in most cases.
• Can be more convenient than residential treatments (especially when the doctor offers services at a clinic.)
• Expert service by a licensed treatment specialist.
• Counseling plays a crucial part in educating an individual about the negative effects of drug misuse.
• Methadone doctors have vast experience and knowledge on the subject and dealing with patients.

Some Final Words

Drug addiction is very common in the U.S. The statistics show that many thousands of people misuse opioids in America. More than 100 deaths occur daily due to this medication overdose or misuse. Methadone doctors are a group of experts that are specialized in treating opioid-related substance abuse disorders. Your complete recovery is far more likely with the help of a licensed methadone doctor, so find a doctor near you today: https://pinnacletreatment.com/locations/outpatient-treatment/

Headquartered in New Jersey, Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a recognized leader in comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment serving more than 28,000 patients daily in California, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. With more than 110 community-based locations, Pinnacle provides a full continuum of quality care for adult men and women which includes medically-monitored detoxification/withdrawal management, inpatient/residential treatment, partial hospitalization/care, sober living, intensive and general outpatient programming, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. For more information, visit pinnacletreatment.com or call 800-782-1520.