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Core Topics => Opiates & Opioids => Drugs => Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance => Topic started by: Griffin on February 14, 2016, 01:40:33 PM

Title: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on February 14, 2016, 01:40:33 PM
My clinic is implementing a new policy requiring family counseling to be able to get Phase 4 and 5(weeklies and biweeklies). The new policy requires you to bring in family and do a family counseling session to explain to them what it is, and keeping your take-homes safe. The problem for me is I haven't told my family I am back on it since I was arrested for my done DUI and had 4 months clean. I didn't tell them because no matter what my argument is they'd think I am high all the time and they'd question me about everything if I let them know.

My counselor is against it as well, and is currently looking up loopholes for me if it does get passed. It is a clinic policy not a federal or state regulation. He is hoping that I will just be able to bring in a friend or roommate for my family counseling session since the closest family I have is 700 miles away. He said they might do an over the phone session, so I may just tell my uncle since he has always been supportive, and was a drug counselor for a few years in his 20s. I brought his ex-wife pot without the family knowing when she had cancer so we have a tight bond.

My uncle doesn't want me on it but he is very understanding so he is my last resort if I can't get a 'friend" to do it. I think it is a bad policy because a lot of people are better off not telling there family. I think it is a good idea in some instances because every week I read a new article about someone else dying from a done OD that they got from someone from the clinic and it is usually a young child. So if it slows that down I am for it in certain circumstances.

I see news articles about kids dying from overdose atleast once a month if not more, which is horrible. I think a lot of it is because of people who aren't being careful and safe and not keeping their take-homes safe like they should be. I understand that accidents happen but they shouldn't happen at the rate they do and I think that is because of people abusing it and not using common sense and protecting their children the way they should be.

It isn't hard to keep your dose in a safe, and to drink it all and then put the bottle back in the safe and lock it. That is pretty much all they need to do to keep their kids from getting it. Instead people aren't locking it up, or drinking some and leaving the rest out where their kid can get to it, or they are mixing it with a larger drink in a regular cup and leaving it out and not drinking it all at once. All of these things shouldn't ever be done ESPECIALLY if you have kids around it's not that hard to do things right for the safety of your children.

Other than that, I don't like the reason just because being forced to tell my family and bring them in is going to make a lot of things worse for me. It is going to strain my relationships with my family, and they are always going to think I am high, lying, and stealing. I will no longer be able to have a conversation with them that doesn't include asking me when I am getting off of it and telling me why I need to get off immediately. They aren't going to trust me at all, I can't ask them for help because they think I need help because I am using again.

I love the idea of having a doctor and my counselor explain the facts to people and making them realize that I am not high, how its safe, gives people their life back, and all of the important things that would make them realize how MMT is a wonderful thing and not the same as me getting legal heroin and being high all the time. However I have done all of this with my family to no avail, I have shown them all of the research, studies, facts, and everything else that proves how it isn't the same as doing dope and that its a good thing and why I can stay clean.

What do you guys think about it? What should I do if they implement it? I am hoping I can get my weeklies before they implement it and just be happy with that. Do you think I should just bite the bullet and tell my family and hope that by some act of god that my doctor or counselor explaining it to them changes their opinion or deal with them knowing about it. I hope that it doesn't get implemented and I have nothing to worry about but that doesn't seem to be the case. Hopefully my family's opinion changes and its no longer a big deal.

I am also getting my med card monday if anyone has any questions about the process, cost, or anything like that associated with it. I can't get take-homes if I fail for weed even with a card which is dumb but I have a plan for that. The main reason I'm getting it is so that I can smoke weed on probation, which is a law that passed last year. I got food poisoning the other day from bad sushi and if I could of smoked my life would of been 1000x better. Plus all of the little things that weed helps with like sleep, pain, w/d's, and headaches it'd be nice to use for.

Basically the law they passed last year that allows people to smoke it says as long as you don't have a weed related charge and get your med card you can smoke. Unless your PO denies you which she has to have grounds to deny you smoking it, then you have to take it to court and the judge has to have legal grounds to bar you from smoking it. With it being medical, you basically just have to prove medical necessity and how pot > pills and is the best solution for you.

My PO said I'd be fine I just have to get the card, unfortunately that is not how the MMT clinics in colorado are. Even with a card you can't smoke and get take homes. My plan is I am getting my 4th phase which is weeklies next month and I am going to smoke every other month so when I fail my UA I will go from weeklies and be moved down to 3 days a week and then that month if I have a clean UA they will move me back to weeklies and I will just keep doing that

Ideally I'd be at phase 5 getting bi-weeklies and get moved down to weeklies when I fail my test and go back and forth between those two phases. Basically they take you down one phase each month if you fail your UA for the month. If you pass your UA the month after you've failed, and been moved down, you go back up to where you were. Ideally i'd do this with biweeklies and weeklies and just smoke every other month. It's not ideal but its better than nothing and when I have my UA within the first 2 weeks I can smoke for a week on my off months.

There aren't any plans to change this and I am not sure if it is a state, federal, or just a clinic policy but it seems to be the norm and I haven't heard of any clinics here who let you smoke with a card and get take homes. You'd think with it being legal it'd be fine but I can't see how they can legally stop you from smoking it if its medical. It shouldn't be treated any different than any other prescribed medication. At worst they should do what they do with benzos, which is inform the dr who prescribes the benzos that you take methadone and that's it.

I think it will come in handy big time when or if I start tapering for all the w/d symptoms. Does anyone's clinic allow weed and take homes? If they do s your state a med or recreational state? Hopefully they let me off probation early in july after its been a year instead of 18 months and then I probably won't care as much about getting my take homes but it is definitely a pain in the ass to go every day. If I move to Oklahoma after I get off probation I won't smoke weed at all because I can't afford another charge, so I'd like to do it while I can.

Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Pullmyhair. on February 15, 2016, 06:33:37 AM
It seems to me like this policy would be in violation of your HIPAA rights, your family members aren't medical professionals coordinating your care, so I don't see how they could force you to sign a waiver to communicate with them (and again, since they're not medical professionals, they can't communicate with them without a waiver). It's an incredibly foolish and unethical policy. Nevermind the fact that not everyone has family, or doesn't live with family. Expecting you to have your family from 700 miles away come in (or even call) is the stupidest fucking thing I've ever heard. I could understand making everyone take a takehome safety class (maybe an extra one for people with kids), but this policy is just plain stupid (and likely violates your rights). I would contact their accrediting agency and your state methadone authority (both should be easy to find contact info for), I would also file a grievance at your clinic and let them know it's unethical and violates your rights. It also doesn't make sense to only require this for weeklies and biweeklies, the people on lower phases are just as likely to divert or not properly store their takehomes as anyone else. I know a lot of clinics pull some shit, but the more I think about it, this takes the cake, this is some next level stupid.

As far as test for weed, my clinic doesn't test for it (and my state doesn't even have medical marijuana). I don't think your plan of smoking every other month will work for more than a few months, if you're continuously testing dirty every other month, they'll eventually stop letting you get your phase back after just one clean UA, they'll want 3 months (or more). Remember that the regulations and clinic policies are the most lenient they'll be, it doesn't mean they can't or won't be more strict if they want to. In my experience, consecutive or regularly failed UAs, will result in you going daily, even if technically on paper you should be able to fail every other month and still stay above a certain phase. I'm guessing based on all that you've posted about how ridiculous your clinic is, your plan won't pan out.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Sand and Water on February 15, 2016, 08:04:00 AM
^^^ everything Pullmyhair hair said x100. How stupid is it to screw w/ADULTS who are choosing to make a change in their lives by involving family members?  what a can of worms to open if family doesnt "believe in mmt". Hmm--so if mom or dad *doesn't* "get it" about someone not being high on MMT, the purposes etc., this opens the door for all kinds of negative crap. Like...child custody cases, forcing an ADULT to answer to another "authority" besides the clinic about what should be confidential info.

So if they're actually available, and willing to come, what happens if they disagree w/the clinic even being an option; "just say no" is the "only real way", & use that info against the ADULT?

Sorry for the rant, but this chaps my hide--it's medical treatment. Period. There's no justification (except money) w/out the client saying they WANT family "counseling" for this.  Too many already judge those on MMT *despite* being given info on it, why on earth make it compulsory to disclose private medical and tangential information? 

The only thing I can think of is they think they've found a way to get a lot of extra $$$ for these "counseling sessions"?  What's their plan when "issues" cone out during the session(s)? Oh, lemme guess, making *more* sessions compulsory??

I really hope you can use that loophole, (if not find a different clinic). Honest to Pete, if I were you, I'd immediately (anonymously) report them to your State licensure board and Mental Health Dept for what Pullmyhair already said. This is so over the top that a complaint and investigation would hopefully put a very quick  stop to it.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Jega on February 15, 2016, 08:38:21 AM
I'll echo what those above me said.

It MAY BE the policy of your clinic to do this. Federal law trumps Business Policy and Practices.

Rights are only rights if you insert and stand up for your rights.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Z on February 15, 2016, 10:34:58 AM
Do you live with family?  Not having them around your methadone might be enough of an argument to not approach your unknowing family.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on February 15, 2016, 03:02:57 PM
Thanks guys for the info, I hadn't even thought about that aspect of it and more than likely there has to some hoops they'd have to jump through to put this in to effect. They do hold the carrot though, so I don't know if they can get around regulations by saying some shit that they'll only give phase 4 and 5 to clients that the clinic feels are ready for it. They'd probably just say that the family counseling isn't a requirement but in reality that is what they are going to use as the requirement.

I really hope this blows over, and luckily my counselor is completely against it so maybe he'll help me out. I don't really have any friends that I'd take to a session there and if I did I'd probably never talk to them again. I like my clinic, the staff is nice for the most part, it's close, and my counselor is really cool. They have continued to make things harder there this last year, I am not sure if that has to do with medicaid covering it 100% or not but it came around at the same time.

They changed the time it takes to get the first phase to 4 months after you start instead of 30 days, but that doesn't bother me. Then they made everyone on dailies do 3 groups and a counseling session a month and phase 1-3 do one counseling session and one group a month. That is a main reason I want weeklies because the only group I can goto is at 6 AM. I am sure that some studies show that it helps lower relapse rates but I have been clean since I got on mmt in nov. 2013 so I'm good with one session or group a month not 2.

The last thing they did has pissed the most people off and is annoying to me but it's not that big of a deal. The first 30 minutes of every day only people on the "working" list can dose, so only people who work early and brought their schedule to their counselors and were put on the list before hand can dose from 530-6 everyone else has to wait. It's really annoying around holidays when everyones getting 2-4 take homes and it takes 30 minutes to an hour to dose.

Last time everyone was freaking out because it was taking a long time and since everyone who is not on the "list" has to wait until 6. There was like 45 people in line waiting to dose at 6. A lot of people were leaving without their dose or complaining about getting fired if they are late. There were a few counselors who moved people to the front of the line for this reason but they only did it for a few people and were definitely playing favorites.

I thought some of the people were going to lose it because they were having the same problem but they were going to have to wait it out while someone else went to the front of the line. I think no matter what I am going to have to deal with it at this clinic, when I tried to get back on after getting arrested last year and having a few months of clean time not one clinic in Denver was accepting patients it would of taken 4-6 months to get back on at my clinic if my counselor hadn't asked for a personal favor from the doctor to do an intake for me.

I don't think things have gotten much better I think there is one more clinic now but they are probably already full. I am just hoping that because of counselors disagreeing with it and it seemingly being a violation of quite a few regulations that this blows over and doesn't pass. I will find out more on Tuesday, I'll ask my counselor and see what happened at their weekly meeting and pass along what I've found out through hippa and what you guys have said.

Thanks for all the info everyone, you guys are awesome as always and I will keep you up to date on what happens. I am hoping I can find a way to smoke weed, maybe I can take it to the supreme court and win is Johnny Cochran still alive? I guess when I get off probation I won't have anymore observed UAs so i could always just store some clean piss and use it the times I smoke even though I wont be off until January, i can start sending appeals for early termination In April. Maybe in July they'll let me off. I haven't had much luck in the past but it'd be nice.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: dizzle on February 15, 2016, 04:41:25 PM
Hey I'm just putting this out there but there's an app for the iPhone called voxox and if u dl it and put like $2.00 on it u can set ur caller id to anything u want. So, for example, if the clinic has ur family's phone number because u gave it to them when signed up, u can have a friend call the clinic using voxox app with the caller id spoofed to show ur family's number, that way the clinic will see it and believe it. Just saying.....


On top of that, I agree it's a serious hippa violation if I were u id contact ur local aclu chapter and get them involved with all their lawyering and whatnot, tell them what is happening and that ur rights are being violated. Maybe one call from the acle Lawyer would be enough to scare them off from making that gay ass rule.


Also, donate to ur local aclu, everyone!!!
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: whiteheat on February 16, 2016, 08:22:11 PM
Dizz got all the good tricks love it!
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Chip on February 16, 2016, 09:21:15 PM
<snip>
The new policy requires you to bring in family and do a family counseling session to explain to them what it is
<snip>

that's not right; that shit is private. brother, that's a hell of an ask.

i don't agree with that policy at all.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on April 12, 2016, 12:05:51 PM
So my clinic coordinator is a fucking asshat, to put it nicely. He is now using me to get his stupid little rule passed about requiring everyone have a family counseling session to get weeklies. This is not a federal or state policy or requirement. The coordinator is just an idiot who wants to piss off more patients because everyone hates him, I assume he is doing it to get more money.

 I was supposed to get weeklies last week, and they haven't officially enacted this policy which comes with a bunch of other bullshit that I will put at the end of my post. However he is requiring me to do it to get weeklies, and I have to have a sit down with him about it, this is his way of getting it passed even though a few counselors and all patients are against it.

At my clinic to get moved to the next phase your counselor has to present your case in front of the entire staff, and the entire staff has to agree for you to be able to get your next phase. My counselor did this last week and everyone except for the coordinator signed off on it. Now he wants to use me as the first person to be required to do the family session since I am one of the arguments for not enacting his policy. My counselor is one of the main people against it and has used me as an example to get this policy from going into effect.

I have no family or friends in this state, i am single, I live in a community housing setup with people I don't know that well, my family doesn't know I am on it, if they did it would cause major problems with our relationship and they would nag me to get off of it in every conversation. So my counselor has used me as an example of reasons it shouldn't be passed or why they should allow some people to not have it, there is no one I know that could go, and it would cause me a lot of stress and problems if my family found out.

I could pay someone $20 to go but that is my best option, I don't want my roommates to know. They don't know and would judge me, or could potentially try to steal it if they knew I had it. I really don't want my family to know, the amount of never ending shit I would get for it is astronomical, none of them understand at all. Since I got the methadone DUI they think it is ruining my life hence why I didn't tell them I got back on it and why I went through 4 months of hell trying to stay off of it before deciding to get back on it after getting arrested.

So if anyone has any arguments I can use to get out of this, or get this dumb policy canned please let me know!! Especially any that are legal like hippa stuff. Since take-homes are a privilege I assume that would be why it wouldn't go against hippa, Since they aren't forcing me to tell my family I just wont get to have the privilege of take homes it is okay. I'm having my sitdown in the next 2 days, so I'd like as much ammo as I can to get out of this bullshit, the guy is an asshole and gets pleasure out of fucking over people, he gets joy when people can't dose.

Here is why I think it is a money ploy, it will count as another counseling session, the insurance they take only cover one counseling session and then one group a month so it's an out of pocket expense. But the big piece of it is what they are adding on to this policy. On top of the family session being required to they are adding a ton of extra mandatory groups i will post what they are later let me know if you can read the pictures.

Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Taytoechip on April 12, 2016, 12:31:51 PM
Last year when my girl (and myself thanks to the ridiculously over prescribing habits of most doctors) got on bupe she was in a program to help pay for everything. but there were some pretty intense requirements. Far more hours a week than a part time job in fact. But still, the hoops were jumped through until we built up enough strips to handle business on our own. In addition to daily visits to the clinic and meetings (4hrs/day) she had to attend 3 night time meetings with a family member a week (in this case, her dad) which were also 2 hours each.
But it was a real bind to make it happen. After a couple times of not being able to make the meetings each week she was put on like a probation shit. If the 3 meetings with her dad were not made each week she could and would have been terminated from the program. Because he was the one who started coming to the family meetings with her, she couldnt switch it up and bring another member if he couldnt attend. it HAD to be the same family member. How fucking ridiculous is that?

Best of luck though. Sorry, wish i had some advice.

Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Lolleedee on April 12, 2016, 01:24:45 PM
HOLY FUCKING GROUPS!!!  This is the most ridiculous thing I have see!  It totally looks like a money making venture for them.

They basically more than tripled the requirements!  How do they expect people to recover when they are spending that much time at the fucking clinic!???

My clinic has groups but NONE are required...they are all voluntary.  We have mandatory individual counseling.  I think for the first 30 days it is once a week, but they are only half hour sessions.  After that it is one session per month.

I do not think groups should be mandatory.  Some people, especially those with severe social anxiety, won't find much of a benefit.  Plus, I sometimes think the whole "clinic culture" can be detrimental.  For me, I go in, dose and then run far, far away!  I have a private therapist that i see and I find this woks best for me.

I think it is unfair that more goups are required, at your expense, for higher phase.  I would mention in your meeting that they are in essence, discriminating against those who can't afford the extra groups.  That is a totally unfair, discriminatory policy..  If they wave the fee for those who can't afford the extra groups, well, at least that would be a bit more fair.

If they were truly worried about the "safe storing of take-homes" and "family understanding of treatment" then that family session should be at NO COST TO CLIENTS!

I would definitely tell them you feel it is discriminatory to those without the financial means to do these groups.  I know most people are afraid to speak out, but clinics will continue to fuck with us if we do not stand up!  There are policies in place that protect us from retaliation.

I put in a formal complaint against our dosing nurse.  It's a long story, but in the end she lost her job because I refused to back down.  I pay close to 100.00 a week and in no other consumer situation would people put up with the shit we put up with.  You (or your insurance) is paying for a service,,,so make damn sure you are getting the treatment you deserve.

If it was me, I would say the above and if they hem and haw ask the dickhead for the form to file a formal complaint...and if you do file one, inform them you will also be sending a copy to SAMHSA and your state methadone authority.  I have found through the years that these things make them change their tune pretty quickly!

Also, document everything!  Who you talk to, what they, say, date, time etc. on the off chance they force you to play your hand.  Complaints that are well documented are taken way more seriously then someone who gives just vague details.

Sorry you are dealing with clinic bullshit!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on April 12, 2016, 02:33:16 PM
Thanks lolleedee, when I started you had to do one orientation group to start and then one counseling session or group a month after that. Then they switched it to one group and a counseling session a month for people who are on weeklies and above and now they are adding another one on top of that and this family counseling bullshit. I am fortunate that my counselor is really cool and completely against it, I think that is a reason they are going after me because I am a prime example of why it is bullshit.

Of course he can't see me until Thursday, the day i don't come in, at 8 am, so I will have to wait at least one more week and that is if he lets me have my phase which he should and he can come after me AFTER this is actually a policy because right now it isn't they are just proposing it. They take suggestions and they have to read them in there weekly staff meeting so I am recommending everyone I know to write one a day, that is what I am doing. I will do a formal complaint if this goes forward.

I don't see how he can require me to have it and no one else when it isn't a policy yet, they are just talking about it, and I shouldn't have to anyway. They are basing it off a study that shows clients who are more involved in their treatment do better, this study doesn't show or look into how much it alienates people, how many people dropped out or their retention rates, because its easier and cheaper to get dope than it is to go through all these hurdles, a few hours of groups a week, plus counseling, and a bunch of other shit, on top of $100 a week for your dose.

The study is so broad, and unspecific that of course they would come to that conclusion. It doesn't look into how groups or counseling affect retention and success or anything else that it should to prove that this is all bullshit that is going to cause more people to use, and drop out. I would understand if it were a fed. or state requirement, but this is bullshit I'd much rather they just come out and add $10 to everyones bill than to make us all suffer and go through this bullshit as money is the only reason this dumb ass shit makes any sense.

I'm not sure how much the groups cost yet. I haven't had a dirty UA since I started in Nov 2013, the only days I missed where when I was incarcerated, and the only reason I am not still on 2 weeks at a time is because I was arrested for driving on methadone. They didn't think it was a good idea to inform me or anyone else that driving with methadone in your system(even if its a day after you took it) can result in a DUI as it did with me, which is why I am not getting 2 weeks at a time and jumping through all these hoops again. Can I sue? (yeah i know thats what wrong with america, and it was my fault, but I need recourse for this bs)

If someone has made it 2.5 years without fucking up they shouldn't be punished with extra groups and counseling, all they are doing is forcing people off of it, and putting more stress on everyone. I don't think any studies show that if you stress someone out so much and make their treatment unaffordable that they will have more success at getting clean. More people might get off methadone but not because they are getting clean. Fucking assholes, i guess ill stop ranting and update you after I meet with captain dickhead, wish me luck and if anyone has any ideas for arguments please let me know as this is bullshit.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: 10kites on April 12, 2016, 06:25:05 PM
The policy is based on studies that show......bla, bla, bla.  I go ballistic when I read this "studies show" bullshit. You can conduct a study that shows the moon is made of cheese if you want to, but it still don't make it true.

If you got the money to spend, you could do a study that shows that they are full of shit, but I bet they would'nt want to quote that "study."

Studies show that they are greedy fuckin assholes.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: smalls on April 12, 2016, 07:38:53 PM
If you started in Nov 2013, doesn't that put you in the third column with "No group changes"? Or even of you're considered a "re-start" after July 2014 due to your arrest, wouldn't that then put you in the second column which does not require family meetings?

To be clear, they have not initiated this as policy yet but despite that they are requiring you schedule a family meeting?

You're right. All these rules sure don't encourage one to stay in treatment.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on April 13, 2016, 09:52:54 AM
Does anyone think that I have a hippa argument since take homes are a privilege and its not mandatory for me to do this? Smalls, I restarted in 2015 my dui was in march of last year, I get off probation in January though! Thanks for looking out I appreciate the insight that is exactly why I posted it to see if there was anything I missed.

That is written incorrectly though, everyone switched to the "track" system last year regardless of when they started and thats what everyone is on now. Everyone will have to switch again if they change it. That is meant to show what it was like in the good days, before all this shit happened. The first time they changed they switched it over the day that kaiser dropped the rates for what patients pay to $60 a month it was $90-$220 before depending on your plan, and medicaid became free instead of $60 a month. They only take kaiser and medicaid.

I didn't notice that until you pointed it out and asked because even though I restarted june 30th last year, I was only in jail for a little over 30 days 11 of which were covered by take homes(which were all thrown away day 2 when I got arrested). When I got out I continued to do counseling sessions with my counselor from the clinic because they are free with medicaid, until I got back on. I figured it'd look good for the judge as well. If you go more than 1 day without dosing you have to do a restart which costs $25 it was only $15 when I started.

So technically I was only out for 3 weeks but it's all the same to them, and everyone has to switch over which is bullshit as well. I was arrested a week after I got on methadone when I first started in 2013 but was only out 5 days. What is kind of stupid is that I didn't get arrested once until I got clean, I rode dirty every day for years, usually high on weed and pills, and only got pulled over twice during that whole time one resulted in a warning and the other a ticket for an illegal turn when I was picking up my brothers dog.

I don't know if I should be happy or pissed about that, I am happy because I didn't get caught while I was using, I could of been charged with all kinds of crazy shit, especially in Oklahoma. It pisses me off though because once I start to try and better my life, become a productive, contributing member of society, and stopped doing illegal shit I get arrested twice. Both times for doing things I had no idea were illegal.

I usually chalk these arrests as karma for getting away with all of that shit for so long that I was never caught doing. So I find a little peace in that, even though it is all bs and I shouldn't of gotten any charges. I just think it is ridiculous that once I got clean and stopped breaking the law I got arrested twice. If i would of happened when I was any younger it would of probably been a lot more traumatizing, I still get nightmares, but if I had to deal with what my brother went though I'm not sure I would of made it.

Any more ideas? This guy is a prick I wish I could share a video of him on here to show everyone what I am dealing with. I've never heard one good thing about him, from staff or patients. When I was planning my trip home last month, I had to ask for extra take outs from the state and he wouldn't sign off on it to send it in until there was less than 3 weeks before my trip because he wanted to wait until it was closer to when I was leaving. Even though it was on spring break so there was probably more requests than usual and she gets a ton anyway.

The lady from the state that does it is very slow and unorganized it usually takes 4-8 weeks unless your counselor calls and actually gets through to her. My counselor said it usually takes 5-10 calls to get through and she won't return emails or voicemails. Even if the date is soon and you write urgent on it it takes 4-8 weeks. So if my counselor wasn't really nice and dedicated enough to call her that many times I probably wouldn't of gotten them in time, and I'd have to pay $25 a day to dose, plus an uber there and back, and my family would of found out.

Just to show you guys how big of an ass he is, he is constantly doing shit like that. Thank god he isn't my counselor I feel terrible for the people that have him, He has no compassion if you can't pay or miss anything he won't let you dose it gets him off I swear. He will feetox you the first chance he can. If you have to talk to him about anything he makes you wait, even if he has 5-10 minutes before his next appointment he will make you wait until the appointment is over or make you schedule a time to see him, and you can't dose until you do.

 Since I am on probation my UAs are monitored, and he is the only one who won't let you turn the water on, or fill it under the line even if it gets a temp reading which is what everyone else does. He is also breathes really loudly which just adds to the stress and difficulty of someone staring at your dick while you try to pee. I can't even explain how big of an ass this guy, you should just hear his voice.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: nick on April 13, 2016, 11:06:37 AM
Wow! That is an exceptionally badly thought out policy-epic dumbness.

Maybe point out that they should be making treatment as accessible and sustainable as possible and not throwing up ill thought out barriers.

If it were me,my first move would be to tell them I was estranged from my family and can't comply.Only if this failed would I start mentioning Hippa-you have to continue to do business with these people.So,there's no point in needlessly antagonising them,but if push comes to shove,do what you have to-fight this. 
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Taytoechip on April 13, 2016, 02:51:06 PM
does it bother anyone else that the changes on the paper are listed as "proposed". Which by definition is "put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others."

I'm not to good with words though, so maybe i read like a child.
I sure as fuck write like one
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on April 13, 2016, 09:54:29 PM
Me and my counselor had that discussion (about it not even being a policy yet but he is still using it to fuck with me) Monday when he told me that I had to have a sit down with director because he won't sign off on me getting weeklies because I haven't had the family counseling. He told me that since he is the main supporter of not implementing the policy and has used my reasons as why it shouldn't go into effect that is more than likely the reason he is singling me out.

It is complete bullshit, none of this has been signed off on, and they are even going to do a questionnaire for the patients about their thoughts on it this week before moving forward but for whatever reason he has chosen me to dick with for no reason at all. I think he wants to prove that if he can force me to do it than there shouldn't be any situations where they can't force someone to do it or some shit like that. Hopefully he listens to reason lets me have my phase and forgets about this and adding the extra groups on everyone.

I am going to tread lightly as this ass hole can make my life quite shitty, but I am not going to let him use me as a pawn to enforce some stupid policies or to show that he can do whatever he wants regardless of the impact it has on the people who are patients, and staff. because it will come back on the staff when they have to start taking peoples phases away because people can't afford or goto all the new groups. Along with all the initial backlash it will probably get. I will let you guys know how the sit down goes Thursday and hopefully he isn't as big of an idiotic dick as he acts like and everyone says he is.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Taytoechip on April 13, 2016, 11:02:24 PM
Its almost like they think they have you over a barrel or something. Which i mean they kinda do in a way. But this entire saga says a lot about the very fine line that some places ride between wanting to actually help people, or get peoples money. There has to be a compromise someplace between the two. But until then, Drug addicts can and will be treated like little tiny cash cows. People NEED the bupe or done, so typically they will jump through whatever hoops needed. I mean how many other industries sell something that the consumer will buy day after day, week after week and even year after year. without missing one fucking purchase.

Its a sad sad day in age that we live in right now with this shit. As if recovery wasnt already hard as tits.
Maintenance clinics, a proud sponsor of relapse
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on May 23, 2016, 11:10:10 AM
So this morning about 50 minutes to an hour after I took my dose I puked. I started feeling really sick about 30 minutes after, and assumed it was from dosing on a empty stomach which isn't usually a problem. Plus, I took a few benedryl with it, which is what I normally do if I want to go back to sleep. Do you think I threw up too soon after dosing and I won't get any of it in my system? Or should that be enough time to digest it enough to get it in my system?

How long does it usually take for your body to start processing it or whatever? I know it normally peaks 3-4 hours after taking it but I am curious because this is the second time this has happened this year. What about for pills? I have noticed before when I was using that puking destroyed my high even if it was 2 hours in. How long on average would it take to not lose any if you puked after taking liquid done or pills?

I didn't throw up very much, since I didn't have anything in my stomach, it was mostly stomach acid and I threw up in a trashcan so I couldn't tell if it was pink. Hopefully it wasn't a total loss and that I got some of it. Does anyone know if that was ample time to get in my system or does it vary person to person on their metabolism, and all that? I have my take home for tomorrow which I could split even though I probably don't need to since I usually don't feel any significant w/d within the first 48 hours.

I think I got sick because I can't fall asleep without a dip in anymore so I have been swallowing more and more of it. Can you get nicotine poisoning from having 2 dips in, 22 hours a day? I always put one dip in my upper lip and one in my lower because if I just put one in I still bite my lips, it doesn't fulfill my oral fixation. These last 6 months its been impossible for me to fall sleep unless I have a dip in. Sometimes I'll wake up at 3 or 4 and take it out and be able to fall right back asleep but the majority of the time I can't go back to sleep without putting another one in.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Guts on May 23, 2016, 12:15:14 PM
If you're sleeping with a dip in, do you swallow a lot of tobacco juice? I know swallowing even the smallest amount of tobacco will make me throw up.

As far as the methadone, you should be okay. 30 minutes should be enough to absorb most if not all of it, especially on an empty stomach.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on May 23, 2016, 12:55:58 PM
Yeah I swallow a ton of it, all of the time and a ton of the actual dip too, I usually get heartburn but throwing up and getting sick hasn't been a problem. To update I think I got most of it, I stopped yawning and stuff and feel normal. Thanks guts!
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Roman Totale on June 04, 2016, 10:54:13 PM
Ever try those Camel Snus pouches?  I've truly dipped just a handful of times, but used to pop the Snus into my cheek while I worked several years ago.  The big advantage of the Snus was, IIRC, you didn't have to spit it.  Unfortunately, they tended to trigger intense hiccups, so I cut them loose.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: monkey business on June 05, 2016, 11:56:50 AM
@Griffin which clinic do you go to?

I've heard at least one of the BHG clinics in Denver (I think BHG Westminster was one) allows medical marijuana use, even with takehomes.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on July 14, 2016, 12:12:12 PM
So I was wondering if any of you guys knew anything about if the state has to sign off and approve you for getting 2 weeks at a time of takeouts? I was approved by the clinic 2 weeks ago and the state still haven't signed it, and my clinic coordinator said the person in charge of signing hasn't been there to sign it and isn't anyone there this week either. So the earliest it would get signed by the state is next week if the person in charge of that comes in. This is the only time they have had to have the state sign off on it so is this new or just for when people are getting 2 weeks+?

It's annoying because they have to sign it and then send it back to the clinic for me to be approved, is this a federal regulation and required in all states? Would there be any reason for them not to approve me? I had 2 weeks at a time when I got the stupid dui, so I have been approved before if this isn't new. At least I am not pissed at my new temp counselor the clinic coordinator because I thought he was being lazy and forgot to present me, so that is a plus.

If you are getting 2 weeks at a time can you transfer that to another clinic without having to go through all the hurdles again? My counselor who'd been at this clinic for 10 yrs and was awesome went to a different clinic. He went mainly because he has been owed a raise for the past few years and the other company was starting him out above what his raise would have been and has better benefits, plus he hates a lot of the dumb policies at this clinic like the new mandatory family counseling session to get weeklies, and the forced feetox and a lot of other stupid stuff.

So I wouldn't mind switching to that clinic, if I don't I am still planning on moving to a different state so if anyone has any idea how hard that is and if you get to keep your phases or not that'd be awesome. Also what does fee for services(ffs) mean for insurance? Colorado medicaid is amazing and pays for mmt 100% but Oklahoma medicaid is one of the worst in the country if not the worse and it says it does not cover methadone under fee for service plans. So if anyone has any idea about Oklahoma's medicaid and transferring there I'd appreciate it.

If anyone wouldn't mind sharing what they pay for MMT that'd be extremely helpful, and if you have insurance what it costs with it and if you know what it would cost without that insurance. Also what insurance your clinic takes or if it doesn't take any would be interesting. I heard that some clinics require you to pay more if your dose is over a certain amount or make you pay according to your dose, also are there any clinics that won't prescribe over a certain amount? When I was on 280 I was told that some wont let me guest dose over 100 mg.

here is the okla medicaid info on covering MAT
http://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/state-medicaid-reports/state-medicaid-reports_ok.pdf?sfvrsn=6
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: dizzle on July 14, 2016, 12:54:40 PM
I pay $60 a week and basically name my own dose, althought, mu understanding is that if you are above 200mg's the do charge slightly more ($5) but not much.


I get 2 weeks at a time and I've never heard of anything like that "havinjg the state sign off on it" it sounds to me like a load of shit, how could an EMPLOYEE whether it be of the state or clinic, not "be there to sign the paper" for a month. Something sounds fishy there. Lke someone didn't do their job and fill out the paperwork or send it to the proper place. IDK, I'd be pushing them a lot harder if they told me that every week like that.


Long story short, it sounds like your clinic is TERRIBLE. I'm sorry to hear that. They treat you like a fucking junkie, not a medical patient, and that's fucked. Do you have any other options in terms of clinics? If you do, I'd start setting those up, and then in the meantime I'd be watching the clinic you're at VERY carefully for any violations of any laws, and if they do (make sure you have it recorded (audio or video pref both)) call the agency that is in charge of that shit. Of course, that is only if you are driven to do that, like they fuck with you super hard or treat you like an absolute POS. I mean, that's just me, but that's what I'd do. If you DON"T have another clinic option, you're sorta stuck playing their game, and have to jump through the hoops, but you can certainly be your own advocate, and ask the right questions, and DO NOT take a BS answer and walk away, that's what they want. Fight for what you want.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on July 14, 2016, 01:12:58 PM
Thanks dizzle yeah the clinic didn't seem so bad because i only have to go once a week and my counselor was awesome but now that he left it just keeps getting worse, and the reason for all the shittyness is my new counselor. He is an ass, I can't even explain how big of an idiot he is, I just hope my new counselor is good when they get one.

It sounded like bs to me when he told me that today like a cheap excuse for him forgetting to present me even though I have reminded him 3x and made sure that he had everything he needed. My counselor left 3 days before I should of gotten it so instead of having it on the 30th I wont have it until the end of the month gotta wait to see if she signs it next week then mails it then they get it and get it to the nurse, What's worse is that if they don't do it by the end of the month I will have to do an hour and half group along with my hour long counseling session with the idiot director, this is the only phase where you don't have to do groups you only have to do one counseling session a month.

Sorry monkey biz I didnt see your post until just now i goto arts, my counselor actually left to go to bhg so if they allow weed I would def. switch there.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: BlackMaiden on July 14, 2016, 05:33:08 PM
I don't know a lot about how clinics work, but maybe you can suggest your PO as a family member. Another options could be a mental health counselor. State run mental health is good for a sliding scale fee, it's also good in showing your active in working on mental and physical health. Mental health can also speak for you in court and in other government agencies to get financial and crisis services.

Just a suggestion. A family member of mine does this and they get help from both, and mental health helped them get other helpful services including disability. Maybe you can ask them about that. Mental health can be your advocate. Research that and see if that's a viable option for you
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: bonedust on July 14, 2016, 05:45:22 PM
Hey Griffin... My husband pays $340 a month and they do not take insurance.
Also echoing what Diz said he never heard of the state having to sign off on anything. He gets two weeks worth of take-homes. Good luck mang!

Edit--He also has split-doses.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Chip on July 14, 2016, 07:13:46 PM
BTW, Australia only permits a maximum of dose there+6 days take home doses and that's what I get.

You guys are fortunate in that respect and it took me a couple of years to earn that.

I don't get kicked out for showing hot for pot or meth. as long as I'm not using Heroin (I think) and that policy seems fair enough. I get urine tested almost every week.

I really like my doctor too - he's tough, compassionate and very smart ... the dosing ladies are also super efficient and I can't remember the last time that I had to queue up.

I have to see the doctor every fortnight and today I dropped myself to 15 mg.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Snoop on July 14, 2016, 08:50:46 PM
I started pondering if I actually brought my whole entire  Goddamned extended family in there with me.

Talking all the way from G ma, cousins, brothers, sisters, the folks, my priest, the kids... Fuck it load up the van.

Your learning about my takehomes.

Gma: The what... You're taking me home?

Me: No Grandma ... Were going to the clinic, were gonna talk about my medicine.

Gma: I seen my dialysis yesterday we don't need to go to the clinic.

Me: Quiet Grandma. 

The kids: Waaaaaah Waaaaaah!!! Where is my shoe. ?

Me: Dammit, help your brother. 

Cousins: Haven't seen you in years bro ,where we goin??

Me: I'll tell you when we get there don't trip

And so on......

So ridiculous, all of it.

Do they really think this shit will fly?
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Chip on July 14, 2016, 09:41:23 PM
That's an amusing image that you painted there buto involving your family is just whacky - do they really ask that of you ? I thinknow our clinic life is kinda personal and really just our own business.

Sharing it here is fine but not IRL.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Lolleedee on July 14, 2016, 10:18:25 PM
I pay 100.00 per week.  I have private health insurance through my husbands employer, but they will not pay for methadone maintenance.  They will however pay for inpatient rehab(60 days per calendar year), Suboxone and methadone for pain management.  I find this absolutely stupid considering MMT is the cheapest option out of everything they cover!  Insurance is a JOKE!  We pay 175.00 per week out of his check for health insurance and his employer pays a percentage,,total rip off!  However, I do feel lucky to have access to amazing healthcare from to doctors at top institutions.  But the not covering methadone thing...stooooooid!

My clinic is either self-pay or they have 50 medicaid slots available.  There is a huge waiting list for people on medicaid.  The reason they limit medicaid patients is because the reimbursement from medicaid is so little that they need us paying clients to cover the cost of medicaid patients.

I did find out this week that the state is reworking the medicaid access and our clinic will now have to accept medicaid and can no longer have a "medicaid only" waiting list.  While I'm sure folks on medicaid will like this, my fee (and all of us who pay for treatment) is going up 30.00 per week, again to cover the medicaid patients care.

I have no problem with medicaid per say, but when i hear people in line bragging that their treatment is "free", but that they had no problem scrapping up 500.00+ a week for a dope habit, well, that creams my corn!!  If you can pay for dope, you can pay something (maybe not the full amount, but something) toward your treatment!
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Esoteric Anhydride on July 15, 2016, 01:04:50 AM
  If you can pay for dope, you can pay something (maybe not the full amount, but something) toward your treatment!

I used to support my dope habit by boosting and buying quantity and re-selling. There's NFW I could spend that kind of money without committing like daily felonies, and I'm not about to do that.

I was on MD as a paying client about a year before the ACA kicked in and I got some medical benefits, catalyzed by a hospital trip where I was very seriously deathly ill with Pancreatitis. After that, they started covering my methadone. Under those circumstances and un-employed for very real reasons, you tell me: would you turn down free methadone? I seriously doubt it..

I've paid taxes from countless jobs since about 1985, I think the state can help me out with $.75 worth of juice and 2 BS counseling sessions a month (that I'd happily waive, she doesn't tell me anything I don't know), again, I'm a tax paying, contributing member of this society and I don't have anyfuckingproblem with accepting a little healthcare.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Chip on July 15, 2016, 01:13:34 AM
EA, Panceatitis is serious ... what caused that ?

How is the MD working for you ?

You may want to answer in my dosing time thread because I'm keen on hearing what's best for everyone.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Lolleedee on July 15, 2016, 08:16:58 AM
@Esoteric Anhydride  I know that a lot of people did a lot of shit to afford their dope and that part of treatment is leaving "the life" behind. That's why I said they should contribute "something", not the full amount, toward treatment.

When you are paying for something with your own hard earned money, whether it is 100.00 dollars or fifty cents, it gives you a deeper appreciation for whatever it is you are paying for, in this case, treatment.

Also, as you said, you have been a contributing member for years, paying into the system...THAT is a completely different situation then the one that I posted about.  Like I said in my post, I don't have a problem with medicaid, per say, I have a problem with the ungratefulness some people have when they do not have to pay for their treatment.  Believe me, I struggle to pay the now 520.00 a month at the clinic.  I think it is bullshit that my health insurance wont cover MMT, but I have to remind myself that it is worth it for the stability in my life.  Again, I just think even a "token" contribution toward treatment can help with the appreciation factor.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on July 15, 2016, 01:03:28 PM
Yeah I get what your saying lolleedee, the amount of fines I have had to pay over bs court shit/probation and my taxes I think have covered my methadone for life. I totally understand not being a appreciative of things when they are given to you, I have always worked my way to be independent since I was a kid, when I was in high school my parents were ballin but I was the only one of my brothers who worked and didn't take money when it was offered, looking back I wish I would of just because the government, economy, and a dick head investor made them lose everything over night, so it wouldn't of mattered.

When I was homeless, I couldn't get medicaid or foodd stamps because I made to much money the year before, so by the time I got into the homeless shelter I had a $950 bill with them, and if they wouldn't of been switching over to the methasoft software for the entire clinic I would of been feetoxed about 7 weeks before I got into the shelter, but by the time they realized I owed them $1000 I was able to start paying some of it back and since they sprung it on me all at once they let me not get feetoxed as long as I paid some every week and lowered it by atleast $100 a month and had it paid off completely in 4 months.

I got my tax return about a month after getting into the shelter so I was able to pay it off a month after they gave it to me but it would of sucked it was hard coming up with the extra $100 a week to pay them when I didn't even have a  place to stay. The fees at my clinic are 300-400 on a sliding scale or they take kaiser for $60 a month or medicaid which is free. I got medicaid free through my job and since medicaid is a billed at last resort I had to pay $60 a month for getting kaiser through work I thought it was kind of ironic I get more health coverage and it costs me more.

The family therapy was such bullshit I already did it, a girl I really like who lives in Okla that I went to highschool with did it over the phone for me, shes a cpp and pharm tech so she was really understanding and we've been good friends but it sucked having to tell her that I was on it, since I couldn't tell my family. My PO would of been my last resort but my counselor said that'd work, he said I could try to find someone on craigslist and he wouldn't tell cause the policy is bullshit.

If you don't do the family session they won't let you get weeklies or move up higher than 3 days a week, this is the policy now. You have to have a family session to inform them about methadone to get weeklies or above, no matter your situation.

It has fucked up a lot of people one guy whose wife just died and is estranged from his family finally started getting back in touch with his sister when his wife died and she was his only option but she wouldn't of done it and would of stopped talking to him if he told her so he had to just give up on getting weeklies and was told tough shit.

That was one of the many reasons my counselor left. They are doing a bunch of bs policies like that and even though he fought it and told them how much it goes against helping people they still passed it and enforce it and screwed over 2 of his patients and almost me. Same thing with increasing the amount of shit people have to do to get phases that I posted a few months ago, if you are on dailies you have to goto 4 groups and one counseling session each month for 3 months on top of clean UAs to get a saturday take home, then its 3 groups and a counseling sesh until you get to weeklies when its one of each.

Getting 2 weeks at a time is the only phase now that you aren't required to do groups and a counseling session each month. Before that the only group you had to do was a methadone orientation to get your first phase and one counseling session a month with clean uas. It has slowly gotten worse and worse since I started. The price has also gone up $100/month for everyone not no kaiser or medicaid, since I started, and they completely overload there counselors and are all about making money they don't give a fuck about the patients, except for a select few.

About 6 months before I got there they stopped letting people get phases who smoke pot so I know a few guys that have been there 10-15 yrs+ and got all there take outs taken away and have to go 6 days a week now because they smoke. In a state where its legal, and how the fuck can they tell you that you can't take a doctor prescribed medication that is some of the dumbest shit I have ever heard thats why they can't stop people from smoking it on probation anymore for the most part.

Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Esoteric Anhydride on July 15, 2016, 04:44:25 PM
EA, Panceatitis is serious ... what caused that ?
Vodka bro, waayyy too much vodka.

Quote
How is the MD working for you ?


Sucks! It's summer here and the sweating is better at this lower dose, but still a problem. I want off, hopefully by next year I can cut another 20-30 and switch over to bup. I think I can stay off dope, I'm really just over living like this, broke and sick. I was way happier off the shit altogether.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Chip on July 15, 2016, 06:56:58 PM
I hear you. I just dropped to 15 and am feeling a lot better and I'm over it too.

The tweak has been helping me drop.

I'm glad that you have stopped drinking and found that it used to make me feel lousy and sweat too.

You can do this if I can. Go for it.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on September 09, 2016, 12:14:49 AM
Hey guys got a question if a few of you don't mind answering, how much do you pay for your done? Does your clinic take insurance, if so just medicaid or private insurance as well? I am looking at clinics in OK because I am thinking about moving there, and medicaid as does anything govt sucks ass in that state, but I heard that medicaid covers subs their but very few sub docs take medicaid, I bet 95% of them are only doing it for the money anyway.

All the clinics there I have talked to said that they charge $35-$125 for intake and $9 per day after that so $270-$280 a month only one takes any insurance and it's medicaid but if your on medicaid you have to goto 2 counseling sessions and one group per WEEK! like seriously wtf, when I read the OK medicaid benefits it says they don't cover methadone in fee for service plans which is what most all MMT clinics are.

The lady from that clinic wasn't very clear about it either she said that the intake fee was waived with medicaid and kind of made it sound like it was free but that she also didn't know but that I for sure had 2 mandatory counseling sessions and one group each week with medicaid patients but only one counseling session per month if I pay out of pocket.

My methadone is free and has been since 2014, I really don't think I can afford $300 a month for medicaid, what do you guys do? Seriously if I get a minimum wage job and worked 40 hours a week I'd make $1160 per MONTH BEFORE taxes so like $800/month if that after taxes if I am spending $300 a month on methadone I have $500 for rent, food, car insurance, and every other bs thing I have to pay. This is why crime rates is so high fuck I'd have to beg borrow and steal not to be homeless.

Maybe I should just stay in CO and try to figure out why I am so miserable and fix it, I just feel like I am going to prison if I stay here my luck thus far has been shit in that department. Maybe I can switch to subs and by some miracle they work for me this time, get on medicaid there and find a doc who takes it, and then try to piece together a decent life.

I don't know how much my criminal record is going to fuck me through life its only misdemeanors but walmart wouldn't hire me, and I couldn't be a manager at pizza hut so I am thinking any big company is out of the question until I get my degree which I was just told that I'd have to pay for a semester out of pocket and pass all my classes to have a chance at getting my financial aid back, and I'd have to save up $2000 and pay a college in OK that I went to in 2008 before I can enroll at any college in the state.

I just feel fucked right now, I know I am not and I am looking at the small picture but I have been super depressed for 8 months now, and losing my financial aid was all it took for me to want to jump off a building every day when I wake up. Thank god I am on methadone and dont have constant suicidal ideation anymore because before opiates thats all I thought about. Why is dope illegal and expensive I want to go back to being a full time junk box, so I can forget about this bull shit. Sorry for the excessive bitching but if you know me thats all any of my posts consist of anymore.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Chip on September 09, 2016, 12:22:43 PM
I pay $66 a week for 6 take-homes and one dose at the clinic.

The idea is that the 'done is free and you pay for the dosing and the take-home bottles.

I still think it's too much especially when one may not have a job, like me.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on September 09, 2016, 02:06:50 PM
So it's basically the same price down under thats good to know, I can't believe how high it is. When I first got on the clinic I was homeless and just lost my job/insurance and it was $260 a month but I got medicaid 6 months later. There was something wrong with their computer program they were using and it wasn't showing that I owed money each month so I didn't pay because I couldn't until they found out in mid February and gave me a $900 bill, and I had to pay some on that on top of the $260 a month to not get feetoxed luckily they were cool with $30-$120 a month on top of the $260 cause I was homeless and it was their fault even thought I was not paying.

I guess if I rob a bank or become a drug dealer I can afford my methadone :)

Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: onewayonly on September 10, 2016, 07:30:32 PM
So I see alot of people saying for profit methadone clinics run about 300-400$ a month.
My local one is 18 a day and that seems ridiculous.
Anyone have any pricing info and is mine normal or expensive.

Thanks
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Dopeless Hopefiend on September 10, 2016, 11:18:13 PM
The clinic I was at which is part of a huge national for-profit "treatment" company is I think $12 per day if you are self pay. And they charge significantly more for suboxone and subutex.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Chip on September 14, 2016, 07:19:09 AM
How the fuck do they justify charging more for Bupe ?

I reckon that clinics are really there for the protection of the public and many are out for what they can get.

I'm sure that many also secretly hate us and it's just a job to them.

Mind you, I really like my clinic because I respect my doctor and the staff are efficient and pleasant. It has thick bullet proof glass and feels like a bank - you have to talk through a small slit in the window ... makes you feel like you're dangerous but I remind myself that many hard core criminals get dosed there also.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Esoteric Anhydride on September 14, 2016, 11:07:37 AM
Mind you, I really like my clinic because I respect my doctor and the staff are efficient and pleasant. It has thick bullet proof glass and feels like a bank - you have to talk through a small slit in the window ... makes you feel like you're dangerous but I remind myself that many hard core criminals get dosed there also.

Seriously? In Sydney the md comes through bulletproof glass??

I've never seen anything other than face-to-face dosing, I think mostly cos they observe you very closely for diversion, which is really common -- a lot of people spit-back or try to pocket their doses.

The very first time I got on MD (THS Seattle), after my intake, they fucked up and left me alone in the room with all the gear, I swear to gxd I could have walked out of there with 4 of the big dispensary bottles in a backpack and at least gotten away from the building. I'm just kinda sitting in there, thinking 'holy fuck I can't believe they left me alone in this room and there's a HUGE jug of methadone sitting there.' But, I didn't touch the shit. It was probably 5-10 minutes before anyone else realized I was alone in that room, so I had plenty of time and the exit was close -- people in and out constantly -- and then a whole bunch of eyes got REALLY big and their voices suddenly super hushed. lol

True story, I could have cleaned that room out, had methadone for years. I think even by that point I'd realized that more != better and that kicking in jail really sucks really bad.
Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Lolleedee on September 14, 2016, 02:50:23 PM
I'm in NJ and we have the bullet proof glass and little hole to talk through(that has metal grate over it) and a little opening on the bottom just big enough to shove the cups through!  It does feel like a bank, Chipper!  Too bad they aren't giving out any money through that slot!!! LOL

Title: Re: New Policy at Clinic
Post by: Griffin on September 14, 2016, 07:29:26 PM
Same pretty much as mine Lolleedee, idk if its bullet proof but glass window in between you and the dosing nurse and her office that she slides your dose through a little hole at the bottom and theres a hole where you talk in the window as well.

Looks kind of like this (https://forum.drugs-and-users.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic1.squarespace.com%2Fstatic%2F536f8839e4b0393ba6d0d9b4%2F53b1ac61e4b085f78499091b%2F53b57f6be4b040cd8025ff56%2F1404486943148%2Fclinic-for-methadone.jpg%3Fformat%3D1000w&hash=5108f65149224d04299c91a9ed8e9a991a6bae4e)

When I started at the clinic in Nov. 13 subs were $550 a month and done was $240-300/month on a sliding scale based on income I doubt the price of subs has gone down, I wonder if medicaid covers it the same as it does the done.

I just found out today that I can't get off probation until my $1150 of fines I have left is paid off, but once its paid I can get off even if its before my jan. 7th end date. Can they keep me on past jan. 7th if I don't pay it in full by then? I did get a full time job today at the place i did my community service, but with bills and everything I really don't know if I will be able to pay it, I need to rob a bank or see if anyone would pay to sleep with me, freedom is expensive these days! I wish I had other resources to get the money but I dont know who I could ask, because each month I stay on is an extra $50 added to the bill. I wish I could take a loan and pay it back over the next few months so I can stop worrying about going to jail all the time.
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