Dr. Elizabeth C. Henderson, a psychiatrist in Hickory, Mississippi, recently penned an opinion column in The Meridian Star entitled, “Guest View: Why Does Meridian Need a Methadone Clinic?”

Henderson details the need for medication-assisted treatment centers in her local city, saying, “Meridian has not been spared from the recent opioid epidemic. People from all walks of life are affected.”

Most Americans can, unfortunately, say the same for their city. 

The doctor addresses the larger issue, writing, “There is strong negative stigma toward the use of methadone in the treatment of opioid addiction. Many alcohol and drug counselors reject the use of methadone and unfortunately see this as ‘replacing one drug with another.’”

She clarifies the misconception by stating: “Medication-assisted treatment is an opioid addiction treatment approach that combines behavioral counseling with stabilizing medication and has substantial research and clinical support. To achieve abstinence, many opioid addicts require a long period of stabilization with the help of the treatment team.”

Ah-ha. There’s the answer. Medication-assisted treatment coupled with individual, group and family counseling. A treatment team that also facilitates access to “social services, physical and mental health treatment and the use of 12-step or similar recovery groups.”

Dr. Henderson, surgically prescriptive in her support of methadone treatment centers that offer counseling services, advocates for the Meridian Treatment Center and the entire family of New Season treatment centers.

When you have some time, do read Dr. Henderson’s article where she carefully details why cities like Meridian and those across the U.S. need methadone clinics: “To save lives, help heal families, allow addicts to resume their normal lives, and provide a healthy, proven avenue for recovery.”

In a different article, an investigative team of reporters in San Antonio, Texas, uncover a methadone clinic gone absolutely wrong in their coverage of, “Video: Patients approached to buy drugs the moment they walk out of West Side methadone clinic.” The video displays drug deals, loitering and HIPAA violations.

The same news team interviews Chris Lopez, an addiction and community outreach counselor for New Season San Antonio Treatment Center. Lopez explains the protocols New Season employs to maintain patient safety and community security. 

The news segment reports: 

“The treatment center has a security guard out front and the program director and counselors are proactive, even going as far as to walk into the parking lot to make sure patients are able to leave without being approached.”

“Lopez said staff members created a three-minute rule, meaning patients have three minutes to leave the premises after competing their treatments for the day.”

While others may get it wrong, New Season has it right. Call today for prompt, compassionate help at 1-877-284-7074.