FAQ — JEM Treatment

Question 1

What is the admission criteria for JEM Treatment?

Accepted Answer

JEM Treatment does not discriminate based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. Typically, a person seeking our services must be 18 years of age or older. An exception applies to individuals who are 17, with parental consent and two failed attempts at abstinence within a 12-month period.

Question 2

Is treatment confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your services are confidential and can only be released with a signed waiver of consent.

Question 3

Is methadone safe?

Accepted Answer

When taken as prescribed, methadone is very safe and will not cause damage to the body or brain.

Question 4

Is methadone addictive?

Accepted Answer

Addiction refers to the loss of control over drug use or other behaviors, with resulting social, health, and family difficulties. Methadone-maintained patients remain in control of their daily medication, and noted improvement is seen in their social and family lives.

Question 5

Isn't methadone treatment just substituting one addictive drug for another?

Accepted Answer

There are major differences between illegal heroin use and medically administered methadone. Heroin lasts 4–6 hours and is used in ever-increasing doses by dangerous injection, snorting, or smoking. Methadone lasts 24–36 hours and is swallowed safely as a liquid. 95% of heroin users admit to criminal behavior to obtain money for drugs. Participants in abstinence-only programs were far more likely to relapse and return to drug use, while participants in methadone maintenance programs were significantly more likely to stay in treatment, with lower rates of drug use and criminal behavior.

Question 6

Why do people choose methadone treatment over abstinence-only detox?

Accepted Answer

Methadone maintenance has been effectively used to treat opioid dependency for over 40 years. It's one of the most researched substance abuse treatment options available — and methadone itself is among the most medically and psychologically studied medications to date.

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