How can I get methadone treatment for opioid addiction?

Methadone (the best-known and most frequently used medication for treating opioid dependence) is available only through specialized clinics that follow strict federal, state, and local regulations. These clinics typically couple methadone treatment with counseling and other types of support for people with opioid addiction. People report to the clinic daily to get their treatment. They also must regularly provide urine samples, so their clinicians can monitor them for any illicit drug use. Blood samples allow doctors to check if the person is getting the correct dose of methadone. Some clinics occasionally permit people who successfully abstain from illicit drug use and who do well in treatment to take multiple doses home, so they can cut back on the number of trips to the clinic.