How Can I Make Methadone Treatment Part of My Daily Routine?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “In the United States, methadone is typically provided in highly regulated clinics that patients… have to visit each day to receive their dose.” This can seem like a daunting new part of your recovery if you have never been on methadone maintenance before, and you may wonder how you are going to make treatment part of your daily routine.

Step One: Make It a Priority

You need to make methadone treatment one of your top priorities.

You cannot keep all the normal priorities of your day-to-day life exactly as they are and expect to squeeze in your methadone clinic trip whenever you can. You must make methadone a priority during your recovery and understand that your schedule will absolutely need to change so you can fit methadone clinic trips into it. You should also be practical and remember that you cannot schedule your clinic trips right before or right after another task, as you may run into overlap. Just make sure to treat your methadone maintenance with the importance it deserves, and you will learn to find time for it, as it is an important new task in your daily life.

Step Two: Keep It Consistent

As much as you can, try to keep your treatment schedule consistent. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, single doses of the drug, “can last anywhere from 24 to 36 hours depending on user characteristics.” This means, however, that after this time, the effects will start to wear off, and you will be likely to experience withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and a whole host of other issues associated with opioid addiction and dependence. Therefore, you will need to ensure that your trips to the clinic are consistent from day to day.

Step Three: Ask for Help

If you have decided to attend methadone maintenance, you probably already understand that it is not an easy process. However, know that the best way to attend, stay in, and finish a treatment program properly is to receive help from your friends and family members.

Can I Still Live My Life While on Methadone?

One of the best parts about methadone maintenance is that many individuals on this treatment are able to live their lives normally as they recover from addiction. Methadone maintenance was created for just this purpose: to maintain recovering addicts while they put their lives back together and work toward a stronger, happier existence, free from ….

You may have prior commitments that are important but that your spouse, family member, or trusted friend can help with. For example, if you are supposed to pick up your kids from school at the same time you are hoping to schedule your methadone maintenance, you can ask someone you trust to help you with this responsibility. In addition, these individuals can also help ensure that you get to the clinic on time by driving you there or by picking you up so you can continue your day.

Your support system will likely be willing to help make your transition into treatment smoother because they will want you to get help and stop abusing dangerous drugs. And together, you can all figure out the best way for you to live your life, manage your responsibilities, and still attend treatment. You can also ask your doctor, nurse, counselor, or volunteers at the clinic if they have suggestions for your scheduling or if the clinic offers any options (such as daycare, transportation, etc.) as well.

Are You Interested in Attending Methadone Maintenance Treatment?

Call 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) today, and we can help you find the right clinic for your needs.