Methadone in Washington State

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debberz73
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:31 pm

Methadone in Washington State

Postby debberz73 » Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:22 am

I am a recovering heroin addict that was forced to get on Methadone. I know the longer you stay on this medication the better the chances that I dont relapse, or use again. I am monitored daily at the methadone clinic, and they administer my dose. I get one take home on Saturday as they are closed on Sundays only. Its a lengthy process to even be considered for one more take home at a time. I think I will be granted one more day after 60 days. Then another 90 days another day, and so on. This is only if all my appointments are kept with my counselor and my UA's are clean. They give me 1 random UA a month, and CPS gives me 2 more random UAs a month. When a patient is on a theraputic dose of this medication, there is no analgesic effect, and you can function like anyone else. It doesnt impair your ability to drive, work, use machinery, or most of all PARENT. Since being on Methadone, I went from being a strungout homeless junkie, to really getting my life back in order. My son was taken away from me because I had a heroin problem. I am now 9 months on the methadone program, with clean UAs from and illegal substances and completed both intensive inpatient, and outpatient treatment programs. I have taken and completed 2 MRT parenting classes, and I am now taking a 3rd voluntarily. I am currently in counselling and in an MRT (moral recognition therapy) class that is amazing. I dont want to be on this medication for the rest of my life. I feel everyday I am getting stronger and I am getting myself back. I will eventually step down off of this medication and go on with my life medication free. But for now, it is helping me with my cravings, and that is its main purpose. Its used to detox people from the use of heroin, but its main goal is to keep them off by curbing theyre cravings. My problem is this:I had a psychological evaluation with a psych lady. Her recommendations were that I "step down" off of methadone before I get my son back full time. He is already with me 4 days out of 7 a week. She wants me off of methadone and she isnt a recovery specialist at all. Shes a certified sex offender counselor. Abuse has nothing to do with my case, let alone sexual abuse. I even got my Dr. to write a letter to CPS asking them to change theyre recommendation to let me continue to parent while on this medication, seeing how I am such a better person altogether now while on it. My Dr. by the way is Washington States leading Recovery and Addiction Specialist. He opened up the first methadone clinic down in Olympia, and is currently holding training courses at different hospitals in Western Washington to educate other Dr's and nurses on how to handle and deal with methadone Moms. So they denied his recommendation because I guess whatever this lady recommends is gold to CPS. I am stable now in my life, I have a car, my own place, a job, medical for my son when I get him back, and financially ok. I am in counselling and going to my meetings, and it will be a year clean for me in June 2010. I am excited to move on with my life. My attorney is a public defender so it is hard to get her to work, but I need to know what to do. To stand up for my rights. This is a prescribed medicine that is monitored and I am not getting all messed up on it. Its the bad wrap that methadone has that isnt helping me at all. Is there anyone with a similar situation, that has any advice to give me? Before you suggest suboxone, just know my insurance doesnt cover it and its very expensive. For now I am trying to stay positive, and patient, but I have ammended placement and asked that my son be returned home to me. I go to court next week. I could really use some advice, my lawyers useless.Thank you

Marina
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Posts: 5496
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 3:06 pm

Postby Marina » Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:09 pm

.

Hi, and welcome to the site.

It is rare to hear from parents in this type of situation, so your input is valuable.


Do some research on your own to see where she is coming from.

Use the term court opinion methadone child


For example, here is one

http://www.courts.state.va.us/opinions/ ... 667082.pdf

page 3
Vaughan argues she substantially remedied her illegal drug addiction, which was the primary reason that brought T.V. into foster care. We do not agree. Vaughan failed to complete the Program after her drug conviction. Vaughan had been on methadone for two years and failed to attend programs to wean her off the methadone. Vaughan also admitted she added a substance to methadone to enhance its effects. During the thirty-two months T.V. was in foster care, Vaughan failed to complete the substance abuse treatment required by the care plan.

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Search methadone child welfare


http://www.lac.org/doc_library/lac/publ ... hadone.pdf

page 2
Problem: Judges, prosecuting attorneys, and others in the child welfare system sometimes require
parents to end their participation in MAT in order to get their children back or to keep their children.
Is this legal?

No. The court system (and other government agencies) must comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)...

This link has contact information.

***********

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/userma ... erfive.cfm

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/ ... rv/adults/


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