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Methadone FAQ'as
What is Bi-Valley Medical Clinic? What do you
do?
Why is Opiate Replacement Therapy (OTP) used?
Is this form of therapy safe?
What is methadone?
Does methadone damage your body?
What are the side effects of methadone?
What if I am pregnant?
Will I be treated like a drug addict?
What will treatment do for me?
How do I enroll in treatment?
How can I pay for treatment?
What if I work or have other obligations?
What happens when I go on a vacation?
Will my information be kept confidential?
What is Bi-Valley Medical Clinic?
What do you do?
Bi-Valley Medical Clinic
consists of three outpatient clinics which utilize opiate
replacement therapy to help get opiate addicted individuals off of
short acting illicit opiates (heroin, oxycontin, vicodin, etc.).
Bi-Valley Medical Clinic has been operating in Sacramento County
since 1980. (back to top)
Why is Opiate Replacement Therapy (OTP)
used?
Also commonly known as
Narcotic Replacement Therapy (NTP). OTP/NTP has been scientifically
proven to be a highly effective form of treatment to help
individuals discontinue the use of illicit opiates. OTP/NTP is
extremely effective when combined with counseling services.
(back to top)
Is this form of therapy safe?
When used as directed,
methadone is a safe treatment for the opiate addicted population.
Historically, methadone has been one of the most highly studied and
regulated substances in the world. Methadone can be dangerous when
combined with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines. Please inform
your treating physician and/or counselor about all medications and
illicit drugs you are taking (this is for your safety!).
(back to top)
What is methadone?
Methadone is a
long-acting synthetic opiate that has been used for maintenance
treatment of opiate addiction in the United States since the 1960s.
Methadone’s intent is to eliminate drug cravings and withdrawal
symptoms to help an individual discontinue the use of illicit
opiates. Methadone also provides a “blocking effect” which prevents
or reduces the euphoric effects when illicit opiates are
administered (such as heroin). A single dose of methadone lasts
between 24-36 hours for most people. Bi-Valley offers both a
maintenance program and a supervised withdrawal program (21 day
detoxification). (back to top)
Does methadone damage your body?
People have been taking
methadone for over 30 years and there has been no evidence that
long-term methadone use causes any physical damage. There is no
scientific proof that methadone damages your liver, gets in your
bones, or harms your immune system. These are all common myths
surrounding methadone. (back to top)
What are the side effects of
methadone?
Some potential side
effects of methadone are constipation, increased sweating, potential
weight gain, and dry mouth. Other side effects may occur. Only a
small percentage of our patients experience side effects and most
side effects disappear after a relatively short period of time.
(back to top)
What if I am pregnant?
Bi-Valley has a
perinatal program, which provides methadone maintenance services to
women during and after pregnancy.
Coordination of treatment with an obstetrician is mandatory
and will be set up during your intake process. Patients receive
specialized counseling focused on pregnancy,
parenting, nutrition, and breastfeeding. The goal of the program is
to have a healthy baby delivered by a mother in recovery, to support
mother-infant bonding and family stability. Withdrawal from opiates
can be difficult and potentially dangerous to both the mother and
infant. In other words, the sooner you get in treatment the better
off both you and your future child will be.
(back
to top)
Will I be treated like a drug
addict?
No, Bi-Valley
understands that opiate addiction is a disease and we treat all of our
patients
with dignity and respect.
We realize
many factors may contribute to your disease and we employee highly
professional well-trained counselors, psychiatric nurses,
psychiatrists, and medical personnel to help meet your individual
needs.
(back
to top)
What will treatment do for me?
All treatment
is individualized and involves your input. We meet you where you are
at in life. Bi-Valley
has helped thousands
of individuals address their legal, employment, medical, mental
health, family, and drug and
alcohol issues. Let us know what we can help you with.
(back
to top)
How do I enroll in treatment?
Admissions
are done Monday through Friday and we attempt to make all appointments for
the day you come in or for the following day.
(back
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Call any of
our three
clinic locations for an appointment:
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Carmichael: (916) 974-8090
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Norwood
(North Sacramento): (916) 649-6793
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Capitol
(Downtown/Midtown Sacramento): (916) 442-4985
How can I pay for treatment?
Bi-Valley
Medical Clinic accepts Medi-Cal insurance and private payments in
the form of a money order. Bi-Valley offers a sliding scale fee for
our private pay patients. Some private
insurance
companies will cover methadone treatment, so check with your
insurance company regarding reimbursement for methadone treatment.
(back
to top)
What if I work or have other
obligations?
We are
subject to state and federal laws, which help guide our take-home
medication procedure. FT work,
child care, and retired head-of-household can qualify you for take-home
eligibility. The Medical Director
may determine that a patient qualifies for take-home eligibility for other
reasons as well. All of our clinics open at 6:15 AM sharp, so those
with work and childcare responsibilities can still receive their medication
without it affecting their employment or childcare responsibilities.
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to top)
What happens when I go on a
vacation?
Bi-Valley can
arrange for you to receive your medication at a clinic near your destination
or supply you with the take-home medications depending on circumstances and
eligibility requirements. Eligibility
requirements depend upon time in treatment and absence of illicit drug
use.
(back
to top)
Will my information be kept
confidential?
Yes.
Confidentiality is essential in the substance abuse field. All of
our files are kept in locked file cabinets. We provide annual
trainings on confidentiality. Confidentiality is the law. The Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) help guarantee
security and privacy of your
health information
(back
to top)
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