COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Clint and Brenda both use Maryhaven's long-term outpatient program.
Clint started out using pills to manage his pain: first Vicodin, then Percocet, then Oxycontin.
He moved on to heroin because it was cheaper.
Brenda went to Maryhaven for an assessment under a judge's order.
Now, she says Maryhaven is her destiny ... her second home.
Clint and Brenda take oral doses of methadone to help them kick their habits safely and avoid uncomfortable, flu-like symptoms.
"The problem is, you know where to go to get something to immediately take those symptoms away," Brenda said, "so that's the problem. It's just too hard to lay there feeling that way when you know that you can stop it."
In-patients are given a drug called Buprenorphine to help them detoxify, which can take about two weeks.
Longer-term treatment requires the outpatient program.
Doctors, nurses and technicians are on hand to help with the recovery.
They make sure patients aren't using any other drugs to avoid interactions.
The outpatient program can last up to three years, depending on the patient.
Executive Director Paul Coleman says Maryhaven has seen an increase in people addicted to opiates during the last five years.
Heroin is a natural opiate. Prescription drugs such as Vicodin and Oxycontin are synthetic opiates.
Both patients and counselors blame the increased use on availability.
Recovering patients can visit http://www.maryhaven.com/ or call Maryhaven on Alum Creek Drive in East Columbus at 614-445-8131 for more information on both programs.
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