Are Free Methadone Clinics too Good to Be True?

Free methadone clinics exist and can be the treatment option you need if you are dealing with financial issues because of a low-income job or unemployment and an opioid addiction problem. Methadone clinics are, for the most part, low-cost treatment options that can be very helpful to those who are struggling, but some clinics do provide all free treatment. While it may seem too good to be true, this can be a wonderful option for those who need it.

How Many Free Methadone Clinics are There?

There aren’t as many free methadone clinics as there are paid treatment centers. This may make it seem that affordable treatment is difficult to get, but according to SAMHSA, most substance abuse treatment centers are either low-cost with a sliding fee scale or partially free. Around four percent of all substance abuse centers are actually entirely free. These numbers especially apply to methadone clinics, as they are often on the less expensive side of treatment.

While a free methadone clinic does not exist in every city in America, they can often be found in larger areas as well as big cities and those that have large-scale issues with drug addiction in their populations. Methadone treatment is one of the most popular treatments for heroin and other types of opioid addictions, so these clinics do exist in many areas.

What are the Perks of Free Methadone Clinics?

“SAMHSA data show that” the majority of low-cost, all free, and partial free facilities are run by “private nonprofit organizations” and government offices. Nearly all methadone clinics are run in this way which is why they are affordable and also well-executed. One of the perks of free and low-cost methadone clinics are that “they must be certified by SAMSHA… and registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency” (NIJ).

Other perks of free methadone clinics are:

There are free and low cost methadone clinics that can help you overcome opiate addiction.

Patients can also receive additional treatment and be admitted to treatment more easily if they are
- Suffering from comorbidity (or two or more disorders) like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. in addition to addiction
- In need of physical medical attention for HIV or hepatitis B and C or other issues caused by drug abuse
- Dealing with job loss or low income and in need of vocational guidance and counseling
Methadone clinics often allow patients to stay on treatment longer than other treatment facilities. The NIJ states, methadone maintenance treatment “takes a minimum of 12 months, but some patients may require continuous treatment that lasts over a period of several years,” or even indefinitely.
Methadone is a safe and effective treatment for opioid addiction when dosed correctly.
Patients are also given access to behavioral therapies, counseling, and group counseling in order to help them change the way they think and feel about their drug abuse and themselves.

There are many perks of free methadone clinics which have helped many individuals out of the shadow of addiction and into stronger, better recoveries.

The Limitations of Free Methadone Clinics

However, there are some limitations to free methadone treatment and the facilities where you can receive it. For some individuals, the treatment will only be free for a certain amount of time. This could depend on many factors, including your insurance, so check with your provider to find out what is available to you.

Other drawbacks of free methadone clinics are:

Because these facilities are in such high demand, “many methadone programs in the United States have waiting lists for care” (NCBI). This can be an issue because some individuals may run the risk of relapsing while waiting for care. The NCBI study states that “Only 25 individuals (20.8% [of those studied] entered treatment within four months of being placed on a waiting list.”
According to the NLM, “In the United States, the most commonly abused opioids are heroin and methadone.” Because methadone is so often abused by opioid addicts, it can be a dangerous drug if not dosed correctly or if the individual has the opportunity to abuse it.
Some individuals who absolutely cannot pay for methadone treatment are on wait lists while others who might be able to afford low-cost treatment are taking up a spot in one of the free facilities.

These issues are problematic but they are not a reason to ignore free methadone clinics. These facilities can be extremely helpful to many people, and while they have their drawbacks, there are many organizations and individuals working to make them better and more effective for patients.

Are Free Methadone Clinics too Good to Be True?

No. Free methadone clinics are not too good to be true because they do help many individuals. These facilities are also not perfect. Free methadone clinics exist with their own pros and cons, just like any other treatment center type. While many individuals do need free methadone clinics in order to receive treatment at all, others may not, so it is important to consider all of your options and what you can reasonably afford to do for treatment.

When you are looking for opioid addiction treatment, you should truly ask yourself if a free methadone clinic would be the right treatment for you. Consider these questions:

Am I unable to afford treatment at any rate, even if it is low-cost?
Does the methadone maintenance treatment program seem to fit my needs and meet my requirements for effective and individualized treatment?
Do I have a free methadone clinic that is easily accessible to me?
Do I have a back-up treatment plan in case I wind up on a wait list for treatment at a free methadone clinic?
Do I understand that most methadone clinics are outpatient based, and will this be the kind of treatment that best suits my needs?
Am I serious about getting better and attending a free methadone clinic so that I may have a stronger and better recovery?

If you answered yes to these questions, consider seeking treatment at a free methadone clinic. Search an Internet Directory like the one at MethadoneCenters.com for the right facility for you.