Methadone Services

 

401 SW 8th Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-280-3860

Fax 515-883-2683

 

Dosing Hours: 

Monday thru Friday 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. and Saturday 7:00 to 8:15 a.m.

 

NOW OFFERING NEAR IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO METHADONE TREATMENT!!  We are offering intakes three days per week.  If you or someone you know is in need of methadone treatment please let them know that HELP IS AVAILABLE.  They can contact us at 515-280-3860 for more information or to schedule an intake.  These treatment services are fee for service and those who are participating may be placed on the waiting list for subsidized services. 

 

Are you or someone you know addicted to heroin or opiates? United Community Service’s Methadone Treatment Program offers a treatment alternative.

Why Should I Start the Methadone Maintenance Program?

If any of the following benefits are desirable to you, or are part of your future goals, then you should give this program your attention and consideration:

• A drug-free lifestyle
• A stable personal, social, family and financial life
• No physical withdrawal symptoms
• Decreased or eliminated drug cravings
• Resolution of legal concerns
• A chance to obtain or complete an education
• A chance at stable employment
• Improved self-esteem, self-worth & independence
• Improved memory, concentration, attention & thinking
• Improved health and the prevention of drug related health problems (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis, Liver disease, etc.)
• Improved overall quality of life
• A chance to regain respect, trust and relationships with your spouse, children, family members, friends and associates
• And countless other benefits...

 Methadone Treatment Program

The Methadone Treatment Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and continually strives to maintain a high quality of care.

 The goals of the program are:

• To help clients reach and  maintain a healthy lifestyle, to accept responsibility and make choices which are more beneficial and responsible for themselves and society.

•  To help clients remain substance free and to stop any criminal activity.

•  Changing antisocial and addictive attitudes, values and beliefs, including impulsivity and poor frustration tolerance by management and problem solving skills.

•  The program staff will utilize all of their experience and knowledge to ethically facilitate this process.

 Program Description

The Methadone Treatment Program treats those individuals who are addicted to heroin and opiates.  Treatment consists of methadone dosing as well as individual counseling sessions.

 Services Offered

Methadone Maintenance, Methadone Detoxification, Individual Counseling, and Urinalysis Drug Screening.

 Staff

As part of your treatment team we have a Medical Director (Licensed Physician/Certified Addictionologist), licensed nurse, licensed pharmacists, and certified chemical dependency counselors.   

 What population does the program serve?

 We provide methadone treatment for clients age 18 and over with a diagnosis or eligible diagnosis of opioid dependence as defined the DSM IV who have a desire to abstain from future use of heroin and/or opiates.

 How can I be referred to your program?

You may contact our staff at 515-280-3860 to determine appropriateness for methadone treatment.  Other types of referrals include: physicians, other healthcare agencies, or other Methadone Treatment Centers.

Do you have a waiting list?

To better meet your needs we offer intake appointments three days per week with no waiting list for these services.  Due to program capacities for our subsidized program we do maintain a waiting list; however, once you enter into the private pay program you will be placed on the subsidized/sliding fee scale waiting list.    The amount of time on the waiting list varies therefore we require continued communication with our facility while you are on our waiting list.  Pregnant women will be given priority for admittance. 

 What is the Cost of the Program?

• Call to learn more about private pay services or to get an admit date.
• United Community Services offers financial assistance using a sliding fee scale.  The sliding fee scale is based on your income and the number of dependents in your family.  All clients should apply for the sliding fee scale upon admission. 
• To be considered for the sliding fee scale you must provide proof of your income ie: paycheck stub, Iowa Workforce statement, Social Security statement, or food stamp eligibility notice. 
• Medicaid will cover the cost of your methadone treatment services. 
• Our facility does not bill any other insurance program. 

Who is the funding source?

Financial subsidy of the sliding fee scale is provided by the State of Iowa, Department of Public Health, Division of Substance Abuse and Health Promotion and the Federal Government. 

What are your dosing hours?

Our dosing hours are Monday thru Friday 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

 Admission to the program

 Criteria for admission are consistent with those outlined in the definition of opioid dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (current edition).  We do not provide methadone for pain. 

To be eligible for our services you must be able to attend the clinic during dosing hours.

What does the admission process consist of?

 The admission process consists of completion of an assessment to determine appropriateness for opioid treatment, a complete physical as well as a TB and syphilis screenings.  You will be required to see our physician at 12:00 on the date of your intake.  You may then return for dosing that afternoon. 

 What is the methadone dosing procedure?

 Methadone is given in a cherry-flavored liquid form.  Doses are received form the pharmacist on duty at the pharmacy window.  Once a client is stabilized and meets criteria, take home doses are considered as set out by the federal government.

What is the maximum number of take home doses I can receive?

After criteria for take home status has been determined the maximum number of take home doses provided is 13. 

• 1.  Absence of recent abuse of drugs (narcotic and non-narcotic) including alcohol, and positive for methadone for at least 30 days
• 2.  Regular Attendance at the clinic for dosing
• 3.  Regular attendance at the clinic for rehabilitative and counseling services
• 4.  Absence of recent criminal activity
• 5.  Absence of serious behavioral problems at the clinic
• 6.  Stable home environment and social relationships.
• 7.  Active employment or participation in school or recipient of disability, or similar responsible activities related to employment, education, or vocation.
• 8.  Assurance that medication can be safely transported and stored by the patient for the patient's own use. 

Take home privileges will be based upon information from your current clinic.  If you are currently receiving take home privileges you will continue to receive the same take home privileges. 

Be sure to check out our Newsletter section for Methadone News information. 

For additional information about our methadone services or methadone in general see our Methadone Client Handbook

 HIV and AIDS information is linked here.  Thanks to the The Project of Central Iowa we are proud to offer HIV and Hepatitis testing at our clinic, please contact us for additional information for when testing can be done.  You do not need to be a client to receive testing. 

To save some time with your intake process, you may complete our Methadone Intake Forms prior to our intake by printing them off and bringing them in with you.  

How do I get to the clinic?

We are located at 401 SW 8th Street.  Click here for a map

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