A series of studies has found that when methadone is introduced to a community, crime, drug use and deaths amongst addicts drop, but when maintenance is cut, crime, drug use and deaths increase 2 . Methadone treatment dramatically reduces the risk of HIV infection amongst IV drug users 3 . If you are seeking methadone treatment, be sure to speak with other methadone patients about the clinic they use. A good resource for further information is the National Alliance of Methadone Advocates. Treatment quality varies widely, as do restrictions, and it may be worthwhile to travel farther to attend a good clinic.
Hospital based services are also likely to be better than stand-alone private clinics.
FACT believes that methadone should be available to all addicts who seek it. We also believe that the federal regulations which limit methadone prescribing to special clinics should be lifted, and that physicians should be able to prescribe methadone to those who want it. Research has found that patients who attend clinics with more services are more likely to reduce their drug use and improve their social functioning. Many methadone patients find the regime at methadone clinics unreasonably restrictive, even punitive. For example, some clinics require a note from one's employer proving that travel is required for business and restrict the amount of medication which can be taken out of the clinic.