Methadone Addiction: Methadone Detox

Methadone is a long acting opiate which has been of great utility to the opiate addicted patient because of its long duration of action and availability at clinics located throughout the country. Maintenance on methadone has allowed many individuals the opportunity to lead productive lives that would otherwise be directed towards seeking narcotics from other and more problematic sources.

A potential difficulty arises, however, in those individuals who want to come off of methadone, as this too is addictive, although less subject to abuse. To help such individuals achieve the opportunity to lead a drug-free life, a rapid detoxification treatment has become available.

Rapid detoxification at ODI (Opiate Detoxification Institute) consists of a two week program during which a patient undergoes a medical procedure under brief general anesthesia, followed by a 3-4 day hospital stay to assist in further recovery. Treatment is rendered under the care of board certified anesthesiologists, pain management specialists and psychiatrists.