Methadone is often discussed in the context of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) or Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).
Both terms refer to treatment that combines FDA-approved medications—such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone—with counseling and behavioral therapies.
MOUD is considered the gold standard of care because it:
- Reduces opioid use
- Lowers the risk of overdose
- Decreases the spread of infectious diseases
- Improves retention in treatment
- Supports long-term recovery
At THS, methadone is not used as a stand-alone solution. It is part of a comprehensive care plan tailored to each patient.
To learn more about methadone, read our article titled ‘What Is Methadone?’
When taken as prescribed under medical supervision, methadone does not produce the high associated with opioids like heroin or fentanyl.
Methadone works differently because it:
- Is long-acting (lasting 24–36 hours or longer)
- Enters the body gradually
- Maintains stable levels in the bloodstream
At the proper dose, most patients report feeling normal, stable, and free from withdrawal symptoms. Because it is long-acting, methadone stabilizes the brain throughout the day, reducing the cycle of intoxication and withdrawal that often drives continued opioid use.
The goal of methadone treatment is not to create a high. Instead, it helps people feel well so they can go to work, engage in therapy, and move forward in recovery.
To learn more about methadone, read our article titled ‘What Is Methadone?’
A methadone clinic—also known as an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)—is a licensed healthcare facility where patients receive methadone under medical supervision.
In the United States, methadone for opioid use disorder can only be dispensed through certified opioid treatment programs. These clinics typically provide:
- Medical evaluations
- Daily or scheduled methadone dosing
- Counseling services
- Case management
- Ongoing monitoring and support
This structure helps ensure that methadone is used safely and effectively.
At Therapeutic Health Services, our programs are designed to be welcoming, nonjudgmental, and patient-centered. We understand that entering treatment can feel overwhelming, and we work to make the process as supportive as possible.
To learn more about methadone, read our article titled ‘What Is Methadone?’
Methadone is primarily used to treat opioid use disorder as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Opioid use disorder changes how the brain responds to stress, reward, and pain. When someone stops using opioids, they often experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Insomnia
- Strong cravings
Methadone helps prevent these withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. By stabilizing the brain and body, methadone allows people to focus on recovery activities such as counseling, mental health care, rebuilding relationships, employment, and long-term recovery goals.
Research consistently shows that people who receive medication treatment for opioid use disorder have better outcomes than those who attempt to stop using opioids without medical support.
To learn more about methadone, read our article titled ‘What Is Methadone?’
Yes! THS offers both virtual and in-person Mental Health groups for individuals who are currently enrolled in Mental Health services with us. Click here to learn more about the benefits of participating in groups and see which groups we’re currently offering.
- DUI/Reckless Driving infractions
- DOC Intakes/Evaluations
- Family Court – Custody Evaluations
- Employee Assistant Program referrals
- CPS and Family Court assessments and evaluations
We are committed to providing a thorough and timely assessment. To assist patients, we have collaborative relationships with various probation officers, attorneys, and courts in King County and Snohomish County.
Yes we do, but if you are seeking to enter treatment, there are some important things to remember:
Please note that the intake clinician does not provide medication prescriptions, and referrals for those services cannot occur until a patient is enrolled in services and meeting regularly with their assigned clinician, which may take several weeks. If you are running out of your current medication, please speak with your current prescriber to ensure you have adequate refills, since we cannot guarantee when you will be scheduled for your first appointment with a psychiatric practitioner at THS. If you are not in contact with your prescriber and need your medication, please contact an urgent care clinic or behavioral urgent care clinic near you.
We cannot guarantee any medications will be prescribed as part of your treatment at THS once you are referred for psychiatric services, as that is a decision made at the discretion of our psychiatric practitioners
Methadone is typically provided through our dispensary and is generally for those patients who are high risk for chronic severe opioid dependence, where individuals inject more than a gram per day. Methadone is also a full agonist, requiring medically supervised withdrawal and maintenance that is in tandem with additional treatment and psychosocial support.
Suboxone has the combination of Naltrexone and Buprenorphine and is an antagonist (Naltrexone) and a partial agonist at the mu-Opioid Receptor. It is a prescribed medication where the treatment is focused on the prevention of potential relapse due to opioid dependence that is either moderate to severe, and generally beneficial for those individuals who smoke or intermittently inject heroin that is less than a gram per day. Suboxone is also medically supervised through withdrawal management.
The easiest way to help someone enter treatment at THS is to complete a Get Help entry form on their behalf.
You can also call our appointment line at 1-833-278-4357 for help with submitting a form or following up on a previously submitted form.
Visit our careers page for more information.
Methadone is an opioid medication, but it functions differently from substances like heroin or fentanyl. Those drugs act quickly on the brain, producing a rapid high followed by withdrawal symptoms that can reinforce ongoing use.
When taken as prescribed under medical supervision, methadone does not produce the high associated with opioids like heroin or fentanyl.
Methadone works differently because it:
• Is long-acting (lasting 24–36 hours or longer)
• Enters the body gradually
• Maintains stable levels in the bloodstream
At the proper dose, most patients report feeling normal, stable, and free from withdrawal symptoms. Because it is long-acting, methadone stabilizes the brain throughout the day, reducing the cycle of intoxication and withdrawal that often drives continued opioid use.
The goal of methadone treatment is not to create a high. Instead, it helps people feel well so they can go to work, engage in therapy, and move forward in recovery.
To learn more about methadone, read our article titled ‘What Is Methadone?’
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Therapeutic Health Services
1116 Summit Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
Address checks to “Therapeutic Health Services”.
