Methadone clinics in America are subject to strict regulation by both federal and state laws. A patient must have the information necessary to give informed consent before they can begin treatment. These information include the reasons for treatment and treatment recommendations, side effects and potential risks, as well as rules to follow in order to receive methadone treatment. Once a doctor has verified that the patient consents to receiving treatment, treatment planning can start. Treatment planning can begin if the patient has shown evidence of an opioid addiction at least one year prior to admission. A clinical evaluation must be completed before treatment can begin. This includes questions about past drug use, co-occurring conditions, and the impact of substance abuse on one's life. It also provides information about treatment goals and guidelines. Also, a medical evaluation includes a urinalysis, review of past and present health, and testing for certain conditions that are common in addict populations such as HIV, Hepatitis, or Tuberculosis. A physician prescribes the medication and nurses monitor it. New York State has changed the requirements for methadone clinic acceptance, mainly because of stricter guidelines regarding prescription pain medication and decreases in non-medical prescriptions.
There are about 1500 federally-certified opioid treatment programs in the United States. There are two types of methadone clinics: private and public. Public clinics are usually more affordable. Due to limited funding, there may be a waiting list. Private clinics can be more costly but have a shorter waiting list. There are very few methadone clinics in the United States. This presents problems for those who live far away from one. California, Maryland and New York have the highest concentrations of clinics. New Jersey is second. All methadone clinics must register with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration as an accredited opioid treatment program. They are required to renew their accreditation every three years or annually depending on the time period. Before methadone can be distributed, methadone clinics must also register with the Drug Enforcement Administration. This treatment is not only for adults, but it is not recommended for anyone under 18.
A methadone clinic is a clinic that is licensed to dispense medications for the treatment of opiate dependency. It is historically and most often methadone-based, but buprenorphine has become more popular. Patients who are opioid dependent or have a history if opioid dependence should be treated with medically assisted drug therapy. Methadone, a Schedule II (USA) opioid analgesic that can also be prescribed for pain management, is also available. Methadone is a long-acting opioid, which can prolong the opioid withdrawal symptoms experienced by patients who have been on short-acting opioids like heroin. It also allows for detoxification. The law in the United States requires that patients receive methadone only under the supervision and through an opioid treatment program registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration and certified by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.