Can Methadone Maintenance Treatment Be Provided in Inpatient Care?

Inpatient or residential rehab centers can have methadone maintenance programs for patients, albeit rarely. Though most methadone clinics are outpatient based, 24-hour facilities that provide lodging to their patients may sometimes also provide methadone maintenance, depending on their location and services offered.

Why is Methadone Treatment Usually Outpatient-Based?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Properly prescribed, methadone is not intoxicating or sedating and does not interfere with ordinary activities like driving a car.” This is part of the reason why methadone maintenance treatment (or MMT) is especially suited for outpatient care; it allows individuals to go about their daily lives while suppressing their cravings and withdrawal symptoms to the point where they can live comfortably without opioid abuse.

MMT is also often heavily involved in the community, referring patients to programs that provide housing, education, and vocational help, among other necessities. The program is usually based in an outpatient facility because it is often the ideal treatment for those who want to and can continue working, seeing their families, and generally living their lives while going through recovery.

Who Needs Inpatient MMT?

Patients with little to no social support at home are good candidates for inpatient MMT.

Some individuals may choose to attend inpatient care for their addiction treatment, and in this case, methadone maintenance is still an option. According to a study from the Health Services Research, “Many inpatient programs are part of psychiatric or general hospitals,” which, although it can tend to make these programs more expensive, could be necessary for individuals with serious physical or psychological issues for which they require 24-hour care.

Residential MMT programs also exist and, while these do not usually offer the hospitalization provided in most inpatient centers, they do allow patients to stay in a controlled environment for a prolonged period of time.

Some of the individuals who may need inpatient or residential MMT include:

• Patients who are addicted to multiple substances aside from just opioids (cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, etc.).
• Patients who have attempted to go through less restrictive treatment programs before and have not received the results they desired.
• Patients with high psychiatric severity, including mood disorders, mental illnesses, etc.
• Patients who do not have a strong social support network at home.

Not having the kind of social support system where several or more friends, family members, coworkers, etc. are involved in your recovery and cheering you on can make the process much more difficult, so people in this position may especially want to consider inpatient or residential MMT. While these are some of the guidelines to follow, it does not necessarily mean that you must or cannot attend inpatient MMT depending on your needs. If you believe the program would be beneficial to you, there is no harm in finding out more about the facility of your choice.

Is Inpatient Methadone Treatment Right for Me?

Anyone who’s lived with an opiate addiction for any length of time understands how these drugs can overpower one’s desire to stop using. Before long, a person’s daily routine centers around getting and using more drugs. Addiction, in general, works in much the same way as any other type of chronic medical condition, according to ….

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MMT Can Be Residential

This program is provided at many residential and inpatient facilities across the country, and depending on the state of your addiction and your needs, this may be the right option for you. If you would like to learn more about methadone maintenance treatment or find a residential clinic in your area that provides it, call 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) . We can help you find the best option.