Merissa Swett

C. Boyd
English 111
20, April 2015

There is a substantial amount of people in Mecklenburg County affected by the abuse of

prescription drugs every year. So therefore, in order to break the cycle of substance abuse,
it must begin with complete abstinence. Substitution of any drug only perpetuates the cycle
of drug abuse. More education, awareness, and therapeutic rehabilitation should be
promoted and made available in this county by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Drug maintance programs, also known as Methadone Clinics, directly contribute to this
vicious cycle. Therefore the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) should invest more money
into the recovery aspect of addiction. The FDA should do so by promoting more awareness
education and therapeutic opportunities within the community and surrounding areas. In the
United States, the term Narcotic is associated with opiates, commonly morphine and heroin, and
their derivatives, such as hydrocodone and methadone. Deritive is a compound that is derived
from a similar compound by some chemical or physical process. Narcotic drugs in any form are
mainly plant-based; however they are ingested, and are highly addictive.
So what happens when the dependency and or addiction has come full circle of these
prescription drugs and one finds they can no longer function physically nor mentally without it?
What does one do when the withdrawals start to take over and the need to feed ones addiction is
in full effect? Whats the alternative?
If an individual has medical insurance or can afford to pay for it out of pocket, thats
where the Maintance Programs take full advantage of and promotes the band aid approach in

Merissa Swett
C. Boyd
English 111
20, April 2015

subsiding the withdrawals using the same plant based chemical that got your body and mind
physically immuned from the beginning.
A treatment facility that follows all state and federal guidelines and regulations, with a
licensed doctor, and well trained staff to assist in administering this medication. From personal
experience these clinics open as early as five a.m.and remain open until around noon each day
seven days a week. Once you have been screened by the doctor and your daily dose is prescribed
you are on your way to instant gratification. A client only has to see the doctor when he/she feels
the need to have a dose increased and sometimes, but rarely, decreased. The line to the counter is
much like a bank teller with the administering nurse behind the glass. Once you have reached it
awaits, in exchange for your ID and payment, is your dose.
Sounds pretty easy and into the solution right? When the money runs out or health
insurance becomes suddenly unavailable, then what? Addicts are still suffering from an addiction
that must be fed constantly or without it, cravings and withdrawals begin. In order to
successfully recover, and break the vicious cycle of addiction, addicts must abstain from all
drugs. Drug addicts are classified as a society within a society. Meaning, not everyone can
identify with our problem, so they do not really understand how our disease works, and that we
just cant stop.
Detoxification in a facility that encourages and supports complete abstinence are the
alternative to the band aid approach, or Methadone Clinics. These facilities are equipped with
trained peer support clinical technicians that monitor the initial detox (over a period of 3 days).

Merissa Swett
C. Boyd
English 111
20, April 2015

Some people go through the withdrawals on pure will power, however a study in the journal; of
psychopharmacology says about 61% of people are unsuccessful in their attempt.
Detox offers a state of the art facility that provides personalized care and
attention, by staff who can identify with how you are feeling and will see you through
your process of discomfort. This facility had medical supervision that is provided 24
hours and ongoing treatment/support is offered by experienced doctors and staff. This
process just doesnt stop after the initial detox is over. During the detox, stay assessments
are made and ongoing treatment referrals are then made for you.
Residential treatment facilities provide substance abuse treatment 24/7/365 for
individuals whom are dealing with chronic substance abuse disorders. The length of ones
stay is determined on an individual basis and the results of the assessment made during
the detoxification stage. Residential programs educate addicts more on the severity of the
disease called addiction and its effects on the body/brain. Clients participate in group
settings with others as well as individual counseling. These same councilors will continue
to work closely with each client to help develop an aftercare plan that will support each
individuals ongoing recovery which enables addicts to remain abstinent and begin to live
and enjoy life without the use of drugs in any form.
Because methadone is an opiate, these maintance programs are legally enabling
individuals, instead of educating addicts on the potential long term effects of these drugs. Simply
put, they are prescribing one narcotic for another continuing this deadly vicious cycle. Clearly to
decrease this cycle, more attention from the FDA is needed. The more education, resources and
raised awareness of substance abuse could significantly impact our society as a whole.

Merissa Swett
C. Boyd
English 111
20, April 2015

Merissa Swett
C. Boyd
English 111
20, April 2015

Work Cited Page

1)Main Page Wikipedia.wikimedia foundation,n.d.web

2 )Nicholson, Paul Anthony., and Malcom Harold.Lader the evaluation of psychotropic
drugs: Based on a joint symposium arranged by the association odf medical advisors in the
pharmaceutical industry and the royal college of psychiatrists, Macmillan journals, 1976
3)Government County Mecklenburg XCounty, NC. N.p.,n.d.web
4)Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center, Charlotte NC Anuvia Prevention and
Recovery Center, Charlotte NC.n.p.,n.d.web