What is Methadone?
Methadone is a long-lasting synthetic opioid (narcotic) medication.
It is used medically as a maintenance anti-addictive drug for patients with opioid-dependency and is also used to treat severe chronic pain.
It is a legal and effective substitute for heroin and other narcotic prescription or street drugs.
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How Does Methadone Work?
It relieves narcotic cravings and in maintenance therapy it eliminates painful withdrawal symptoms thereby helping opiate-dependent patients to regain control of their lives and reintegrate back into the community.
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What is a Methadone-Maintenance Treatment Program?
A methadone treatment program is acknowledged as a highly successful, long-term treatment program for opiate-dependent patients.
Health Canada recommends it as one of the best options for managing opiate-dependent patients and improving overall outcomes.
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Is my treatment Confidential?
Yes, treatment is confidential.
We respect and maintain the privacy of our patients’ personal information and medical records. Even if you sign out of the program we will ensure confidentiality of treatment records.
Release of medical records is only through patient consent.
However in the event a patient behaves in a manner, which may endanger either the patient or others, or any action that indicates abuse, neglect or infraction of the law where a patient may be facing trial, the court can subpoena your treatment records as evidence.
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Can you terminate my MMT?
Yes. If you commit a breach of the program rules, then your therapy may be terminated. Program termination is at the discretion of the physician.
Examples of unwanted behaviour include:
Threats – violence or disruptive behaviour in or near the clinic – urine sample tampering – spit backs – selling or giving away “carries” – vandalizing clinic property – continued drug abuse (buying or selling) – failure to attend therapy sessions and missing doses.
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Do I have the right to change from a clinic and move to another one?
ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE CLINICS for their treatment program – and many do.
Whether as a result of moving to a different community or other matters of convenience or personal preference, there are many reasons for changing clinics.
All treatment clinics and attending physicians recognize this choice and readily assist in supporting individual requirements to make it as easy and convenient as possible.
At Towards Recovery, it is our policy to facilitate requests for patients transferring to our clinics or to other clinics with equal and immediate action.
The process is straightforward, simple, and can be accomplished within a very few days, – all without any interruption to your treatment program.
In virtually all cases, the individual treatment program will not change. For example, if a patient has earned to privilege of a carry program the physician will look to continue that regimen.
Transfer Steps
- The first step is to set up an appointment with the physician at the new clinic.
- Once the physicians has approved and signed the initiation document, the clinic staff will contact the individual’s original clinic on behalf of the patient to request their cessation.
- Once the new clinic receives the individual’s cessation, they will send both the cessation and initiation to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) for approval.
- The new clinic receives approval from the CPSO (same day or next business day) which completes the transfer.
Note: It is every individual’s right to change clinics, and a clinic’s responsibility to support this decision.
