F.A.Q.

Can Methadone hurt your health?
The most important consequence of methadone therapy, in fact, is the marked improvement in general health and nutritional status.

Can methadone cause long-term liver damage?
The liver easily metabolizes methadone. People with liver problems, including hepatitis can safely take methadone with appropriate medical supervision.

Is methadone harder to “kick” than heroin or other form of opiates?
Methadone is designed to be tapered off of. Due to the fact that methadone is long-lasting withdrawal symptoms may last longer, but are milder than “cold-turkey” withdrawal. Medically supervised withdrawal is the most safe and effective form of detoxification.

Does methadone ruin your teeth and bones?
Methadone does not ruin your teeth or bones. Aches and pains that are experienced may be a result of mild withdrawal symptoms, the natural process of aging and/or past physical neglect.

Informed consent is the foundation of all treatment at Treatment Centers of America and each patient is encouraged to be an active participant in his or her treatment and transition planning.

Our Treatment Philosophy

Providing the best customer service available is also part of the foundation of all areas of treatment at Treatment Centers of America. The staff at Treatment Center of Valdosta strives to accommodate all of the needs of each patient with courteousness and professionalism.

The Treatment Team, Including the Medical Director, the Clinical Director, and the Counselors work with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan based on the strengths, abilities, needs, and preferences of each patient.

If a patient wishes to decline services, he or she may do so against medical advice. Treatment Centers of America will continue to provide medical, pharmacological, and counseling support and appropriate referrals to other resources.

An important part of treatment planning is to provide the patient with the means to operate in an informed, self-directed, and independent manner.

Narcotic replacement therapy is one of the most effective forms of treatment for narcotic dependence. Withdrawal from maintenance treatment is neither mandatory nor indicated in every case. A patient may remain in treatment for as long as clinically indicated provided that he or she is in compliance with facility rules and regulations. Conversely, a patient may request a medically supervised withdrawal from narcotics. In either case, the ultimate goal of treatment is the restoration of functioning. This treatment goal is achieved through individualized treatment and discharge planning.

Remember, Methadone is not the treatment; Methadone is used only as a tool in the patient’s recovery process. The ultimate goal of treatment at is for the patient to live a happy and drug free lifestyle through appropriate substance abuse counseling.

In addition to issues of dependency, many patients have other psychosocial, emotional, occupational, and educational needs that must be addressed in order for treatment to be effective. Treatment Centers of America staff is well equipped to address the issues of dually diagnosed patients and our philosophy reflects a commitment to provide stabilization, restoration, and maintenance of functioning as well as withdrawal symptom reduction.

Treatment Centers of America offers many services designed to facilitate positive change in the lives of our patients. Treatment Centers of America treatment philosophy is firmly based in counseling theory, which embraces the idea that our patients ultimately decide “how well to be”. We can neither force recovery nor dictate the extent to which a patient “improves”. Those decisions are for the patient to make with the support of the treatment team.

Mission Statement

Mission Statement: to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services for persons who are dependent on opioid substances and live in the Valdosta, Georgia area.
Services include, but are not limited to:

Medical evaluations and referrals; individual, group, and specialized counseling; case management; crisis intervention; and the provision of comprehensive coordination of care among other providers.

Vision and Pledge

• To provide effective treatment for those suffering from an addiction to opiates or narcotics and other drug dependencies.
• To offer services to help women, men and families beginning the process of recovery.
• To create an environment of caring compassion and trust within which the process of healing can begin.
• To nurture an environment that is built upon honesty, integrity and high ethical standards.
• To maintain strength in our program of individualized care which respects the dignity of each person who seeks treatment here.
• To continuously improve the patient care and satisfaction through the study, analysis and refinement of all processes and systems.
• To continuously educate our staff, patients and the community about the treatment of opiate dependency with the use of methadone.

Treatment Centers of America will be an integrated healthcare provider with accessibility to individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by opiate dependence. We will also continue to cultivate a team of competent, compassionate personnel who are dedicated to individualized care and committed to continuously improving services. We will use ongoing research and development to maintain an environment open to learning and to provide education to the community we serve. will reflect a spirit of collaboration, which embraces teamwork and communication.