MedMark Treatment Centers continues to serve patients in accordance with CDC, Federal and State Guidelines, putting the health and safety of our patients first. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, have traveled to a high-risk country or have COVID-19 symptoms including fever or cough, please contact your clinic for a medical screening prior to […]
May 02, 2022
Methadone, a medication used to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms, has side effects and interactions like any other medication. When combined with alcohol, methadone can become dangerous due to the interaction between the two drugs. Learn the risks associated with drinking alcohol while taking methadone. About Methadone In the field of addiction care, methadone has more […]
May 01, 2022
Addiction is a complex disease involving repeated behaviors or substance use that have harmful consequences. Because addiction exerts a powerful influence on the brain, it can be extremely challenging to quit addiction on your own. If you or someone you care about is ready to break from opioid addiction, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be an […]
Apr 01, 2022
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs use a combination of medications and counseling services to help people who struggled with opioid addiction. Methadone is one of the most effective and frequently used drugs in MAT clinics. Below, learn more about what starting methadone is like for the first 24 hours. What Is Methadone? Commonly used for decades, […]
Mar 11, 2022
Opioid drugs, including heroin and prescription opioid painkillers, can produce withdrawal symptoms within just a few hours of the last dose. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal can last for a week or more. While unassisted withdrawal may not be life-threatening, it can lead to relapse and potential overdose. Seeking help during withdrawal can help to ease […]
Mar 09, 2022
Suboxone® and methadone are medications prescribed for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for an opioid use disorder. Since neither medication is inherently better than the other, a medical professional will consider multiple factors when deciding when to prescribe each medication. This careful deliberation ensures that patients receive the medicine that best suits their needs and situation. What Is […]
Feb 25, 2022
The opioid epidemic in the United States has reached unprecedented levels amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 90,000 drug overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending September 2020, including a 55% increase in opioid-related deaths. The Biden administration recently released new federal guidelines allowing for […]
Feb 18, 2022
Some patients who take Suboxone® as part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) also take Xanax. They may have prescriptions for both drugs from separate doctors. Certain patients in MAT who take Xanax use it with the intention of increasing the high they feel from opioids. Anyone who takes these two drugs together has numerous risks to face. […]
Feb 07, 2022
The science behind addiction has come a long way in the past 20 years along with the growing prevalence of substance use disorders around the world. Many people still want to believe that substance use disorders only affect the weak-willed. They see it as a character flaw instead of an actual disease. However, when looking […]
Jan 31, 2022
Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive urges to use opioid drugs, even when they are no longer medically required. The reason these urges are so powerful is that opioids act in the nervous system to produce intense feelings of pleasure and pain relief. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published data […]
Jan 01, 2022
Telling anyone about your addiction or recovery, including family and friends, is a personal choice. There’s no pressure to talk about it until you feel ready. If you do choose to have the conversation, you can decide what or how much information to share. Here are a few things to consider before sitting down with your loved […]
Nov 19, 2021
If you’re considering an addiction treatment program, you’ve probably done your research on the different types of treatment options, medications and clinics. Several opioid treatment strategies are available for people who struggle with opioid use disorder (OUD). Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a comprehensive initiative that combines methadone treatment with addiction counseling services and personalized care. […]
Oct 28, 2021
Overdose is a frightening possibility if you or someone you know is taking opioids like prescription pills, heroin or morphine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 500,000 people have died from opioid overdoses since 1999. Narcan is a medicine that can reverse overdoses and save lives. Learn more about Narcan, […]
Sep 20, 2021
If you’re considering opioid addiction treatment, you’ll learn about several types of treatment options offered through a variety of clinics. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the most common methods and effective methods. MAT programs generally use one of three drugs to help treat opioid use disorder: buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. Buprenorphine is one of […]
Sep 07, 2021
While the COVID-19 pandemic was the foremost concern in the minds of most Americans during 2020, a different health crisis loomed in the shadows — opioid use disorder. With anxiety levels high and isolation an ever-present reality, national drug overdose deaths rose dramatically from just over 67,000 in 2018 to nearly 90,000 in 2020. Few places felt this […]
Sep 03, 2021
Opioid addiction is an epidemic in the United States. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), an estimated 2 million adults in America have a substance abuse disorder related to opioids — including prescription drugs, fentanyl and heroin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an even greater acceleration of the problem amidst the COVID-19 […]
Aug 30, 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the United States, its effects extend far beyond the virus itself. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that during the 12-month period ending in September 2020, more than 90,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. This is the highest recorded number of overdose deaths in the […]
Aug 20, 2021
Buprenorphine and naxolone are common combination medications for patients with opioid use disorder. Medical professionals prescribe buprenorphine with naxolone as part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plan. They yield the most effective results when combined with counseling and other forms of personalized treatment and care. Incorporating buprenorphine with naloxone makes the medication even safer. Still, […]
Aug 10, 2021
Methadone is an integral part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that helps you overcome withdrawal symptoms and eases any potential pain. Feeling tired or drowsy is a common side effect for patients using methadone as part of an opioid treatment program. When you take methadone as directed, your body will need to adjust to the opioid. […]
Jul 26, 2021
Methadone, as part of a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, has long been considered the gold standard in treating opiate addictions. If you’re struggling to break an addiction’s hold over your life, this medication alleviates the physical symptoms of withdrawal so you can focus on the other aspects of your recovery journey, like substance addiction therapy. […]
Jul 23, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic that swept the world over the past year may not be over yet, but as vaccines roll out, restrictions are loosening, and many people are eager to “get back to normal”… whatever that may be now. Yet, heroin recovery statistics have taken a considerable turn since last year when the virus first […]
May 11, 2021
If you struggle with opioid use disorder, methadone maintenance under the supervision of a professional Opioid Treatment Program is one of the most effective ways to fight addiction. Although this medication is safe when taken as prescribed, some patients experience a few side effects, especially when first starting their medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program. In the […]
Apr 26, 2021
As the pandemic closes in on its one-year mark, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the fatal damage of the coronavirus extends beyond the disease itself. Throughout the country, over 80,000 people have lost their lives due to opioid-involved overdose deaths — the largest number recorded in a single year. […]
Mar 29, 2021
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of people feeling isolated and lonely as they continue to stay home and avoid social events as a precautionary measure. It was nearly a year ago that the virus placed virtually every country in the world in a position to mandate lockdowns and stay-at-home orders to help stop […]
Feb 26, 2021
Medication interactions are a serious concern that can greatly influence the effectiveness and risks associated with certain drugs. Methadone is no exception. Using medications not discussed with your provider can significantly decrease the effectiveness of treatment or cause serious side effects. Even something as inconspicuous as cough medicine or alcohol can be incredibly dangerous. Always […]
Feb 22, 2021
Benzodiazepines, also called benzos, are a type of medication commonly referred to as tranquilizers because their effects usually include sedation and relaxation. They’re often used to manage anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal and seizures. They can also create dangerous interactions when used alongside methadone, which is why it’s so important to talk to your doctor about […]
Feb 15, 2021
New Year, new you. It sounds simple, but addiction recovery and the New Year can be a tough combination. Even if you have made up your mind to pursue recovery from addiction, the pressure of making resolutions and keeping them can be enormous. How many new goals should you set? How can you be sure […]
Feb 11, 2021
An essential part of sustaining your sobriety is learning how to cope with challenging situations substance-free. If you are battling an addiction or are in recovery for substance abuse, you likely will face situations that may heighten your risk for relapse. Know that, despite challenges, you are not alone and can reach out for help when […]
Jan 13, 2021
When detoxing from drugs such as heroin and opioids, you can experience serious withdrawal symptoms and may be at risk for relapsing. With help and guidance from a treatment center and your doctor, you may be prescribed methadone to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal during your recovery process. Methadone is an opioid agonist. It affects […]
Jan 11, 2021
Confronting addiction is one of the first steps for anyone struggling with substance abuse. Know that there is always help along the road to recovery. While you may hesitate to confide in someone about your addiction, support and encouragement from others can help increase your chances of sobriety during recovery. If you’ve decided to talk to […]
Jan 06, 2021