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According to the ONDCP, In 2009-2010, “approximately 7.53 percent of Virginia residents reported past-month use of illicit drugs,” including heroin and opium. This also includes the nonmedical use of prescription opiates, such as
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
The national average of illicit drug abuse at the time was 8.82 percent. While Virginians may be below that average when it comes to illicit drug abuse, there is still a concerning amount of opiate abuse in the state, both of illegal drugs and recreational use of prescription opiates. The Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program is currently working to minimize this abuse by monitoring Schedule II to IV drugs, but once a person becomes addicted, there is little that can be done to stop dangerous drug abuse without the attendance of formal addiction treatment.
Methadone Clinics in Virginia
In 2009, more treatment admissions occurred for the primary use of opiates (both illegal and prescription-based) than any drug other than marijuana (ONDCP). Over 2,200 treatment episodes for this year were concerning the abuse of heroin while only about 100 fewer concerned abuse of prescription opiates. Unfortunately, treatment admissions for the latter issue have risen since then. In 2011, “Virginia drug treatment admissions for other opiates (including prescription drugs) surpassed admissions for both heroin and cocaine.”
Methadone is one of the most beneficial methods for the treatment of opiate addiction, and methadone clinics are available all throughout the state of Virginia. With their comprehensive treatment programs, they have helped individuals in heavily populated cities such as Alexandria, Richmond, and Charlottesville. These clinics dispense methadone daily to patients and also provide personalized treatment programs for every patient that go beyond merely the medication itself. If you are considering seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one who is struggling with opiate addiction, a methadone clinic may be the answer.
Methadone is one of the most flexible treatment types, allowing patients to choose to stay on maintenance or to receive medically assisted withdrawal whenever both the patient and their doctor agree that it is time. Patients also receive care from a trained medical staff and can attend the clinic daily, which allows them to continue to live their lives in an uninterrupted way. In many instances, methadone treatment also includes
- Resocialization
- Therapy sessions (both individual and group)
- Aftercare help
- Vocational therapy
- Legal help
- Mandatory drug tests
- Other beneficial treatment types both voluntary and required
While methadone maintenance is also relatively inexpensive, opiate addiction can often cost an individual upwards of $200 a day (especially with the abuse of drugs like heroin) (CESAR). Abuse of prescription and illegal opiates poses a high cost for the state itself as well; as stated by SAMHSA, the total cost of alcohol and drug abuse to states in 1998 was $81,289. When those Virginians who need treatment receive it, these costs diminish.
Though Virginia’s overall opiate drug abuse may be less than the national average, there is still a strong need for treatment among many residents of this state. There are other treatment methods available for the condition of opiate addiction, but methadone is often the best option for long-term, comprehensive treatment.