Alabama
Bessemer, AL
Northwest Alabama Treatment Center
What is the weekly fee? $77.00 Is clinic privately owned? Yes Is there a waiting list? No Is there a dose cap? Is group counseling mandatory? Is an emergency plan in effect? No Is staff on call at ALL times? Does clinic have observed UA policy? What is the average waiting time for dosing? Does clinic offer Hep C testing or referral?
July 31, 2000
Patient states that others are suspicious of staff diversion. Clinic doesn't accept Medicaid. Patient states clinic staff said, "No money no help!"
Patient writes: "If you want to be treated like a child, humiliated and be treated like scum of the earth, just talk to the [clinic staff] at Northwest AL Treatment Center. Patient states some clinic staff members treat patients with respect, but, many counselors are very young and uneducated about addiction and MMT.
Patient writes that clinic will cooperate in itemizing charges so patients can submit to insurance companies. This patient states that some staff members are extremely abusive to patients and seem to out of way to harass and belittle patients. States that some dread going to clinic because of treatment they receive.
***REBUTTAL AND ANSWER
This is a response to reports about this clinic from the Clinic Director."Good Morning to Methadone Watchdog,
It saddens me that your goal is to aid in Methadone recovery but it seems that you add to the bad reputation of methadone. We are a clinic that cares about all patients and having a concern for them at times we must be firm and insist the patients follow program rules. It is sad to think that a patient would report that a nurse would alter their dose. We have not had any complaints here and any complaints are taken seriously. However we must remember that when someone is consequenced (sic) for their actions at times they want to retaliate. A way that many people retaliate is to make false accusations. I have worked at this clinic for 6 years and yes at times I get frustrated with patients. If any one thinks I enjoy getting up from my desk or work to go out and "fuss" at a patient they are mistaken. Yes, I think patients need to voice but when it is false and harmful for others I think that you are putting methadone advocacy in jeopardy. What tools do you provide when the patients complain? I would have appreciated a call. We really work hard with patients here and go far beyond the call of duty and I think that if there was a concensus taken I feel very secure that the patients feel this is a great clinic. I would wish that you encourage the person to address this with their counselor. Insurance letters by the way is a courtesy not a requirement by our staff. A lot of facilities do not even write up a personal letter. This morning in group we discussed how methadone is associated with so much negativity and patients shared that at times there will be a patient or two just going at it in the lobby or even attempting to make contacts. It is frustrating for the patients that are trying to change their lifestyle and I will always try to protect the patients from that behavior. If it takes me coming out to the lobby and stopping inappropriate behavior to protect the patients I will. I do spend a lot of time in sessions helping patients , continuing education on addiction, and referring patients to places that can aid in their recovery and to see something like this is disheartening."
---The Executive DirectorThis Director just confirms the reports we receive about this clinic, when she used the term 'fussed at patients'. I don't think any MMT patient needs to be treated in this condescending manner. The fact that patients are attempting to buy illicit drugs just proves that the doses are not adequate or patients would not find it necessary to self-medicate. The Director's concern about this kind of activity shows why stable, long-term MMT patients need to be treated at a physician's office and get out of the clinic system. We don't need to be subjected to this kind of activity. I do suggest that this clinic staff take a look at their dosing policies if there is a problem with illicit drug use by patients. An adequately medicated patient rarely craves drugs.----Terri
Gadsden, AL
Gadsden Treatment Center, Inc.
What is the weekly fee? $77.00 Is clinic privately owned? Yes Is there a waiting list? No Is there a dose cap? Yes Is group counseling mandatory? Yes Is an emergency plan in effect? Yes Is staff on call at ALL times? No Does clinic have observed UA policy? Yes What is the average waiting time for dosing? 10 min. Does clinic offer Hep C testing or referral? Yes
Patient reports that Clinic Director and staff went out of their way to assist him when he was facing administrative detox because of non-payment due to illness and loss of employment.
Patient reports that this clinic does not take Medicaid when they clearly can. It is very disconcerting to slave away trying to pay exhorbitant clinic fees and discover later, sometimes after years of the above, that the clinic could have taken Medicaid but didn't for the simple reason that they prefer cash.
This clinic, unfortunately, cuts patients off 'Cold-Turkey' in case of non-payment of fees. This is against the CSAT standards which state that an "Administrative Withdrawal," must be gradual.
Patient writes, "One of the [staff members] is very rude, and acts like she has a problem with people on methadone."Grand Bay, AL
Gulf Coast Treatment Center
What is the weekly fee? Is clinic privately owned? Is there a waiting list? Is there a dose cap? Is group counseling mandatory? Is an emergency plan in effect? Is staff on call at ALL times? Does clinic have observed UA policy? What is the average waiting time for dosing? Does clinic offer Hep C testing or referral?
Clinic is experiencing growing pains and new staff are less than sympathetic to needs of patients. Urine screens have grown especially restrictive with no allowances whatever made for medical conditions and work schedule.
We have what we believe to be a legitimate complaint about some very uneven application of clinic rules to harrass a patient. Clinic staff should not get involved in personality issues and certainly shouldn't make them the basis for serious actions to a patient's care which that patient strenuously objects.
Patient reports that there is a high incidence of false-positive UAs at this clinic. Patients are fearful to complain about any issues because of retaliation involving takehomes or dose amount. Patient report clinic staff closed the facility during one holiday without informing patients. Several patients had to go without their medication that day, and were very ill.
Clinic pretty good as a whole.But they closed before without notifying all the clients.Switched to generic Methadose lately.
Patient writes, "All in all this is a pretty OK clinic. But, the clinic refuses to dose over a certain limit with no medical reason. It took me a year or more of steady research and letter writing before I got a raise over 100 to 150mgs. I have Hepatitis C and my dose requirments change periodically. I have been needing an increase for quite some time. I have written the State Board and they say the federal regulations apply. If that's the case, there is no dose limit. If I pester the clinic much more for a raise, I fear they will retaliate and get rid of me."Huntsville, AL
Huntsville Metro Treatment Center
What is the weekly fee? $84 Is clinic privately owned? Yes Is there a waiting list? No Is there a dose cap? Yes Is group counseling mandatory? Yes Is an emergency plan in effect? No Is staff on call at ALL times? No Does clinic have observed UA policy? No What is the average waiting time for dosing? 5 min. Does clinic offer Hep C testing or referral? No
We have received a report of patient confidentiality being ignored at this clinic.
Patient writes to tell us that counselors at this clinic are very controlling, and withhold medication for petty infractions of abusive clinic policies. Patient stated he wsn't treated this badly even in the Army."
Patient states that if counseling appointments are missed for any reason, takehomes will be denied. Patient has very serious health issues and clinic makes no exceptions for this. Clinic staff frequently tell patients that something is 'in the Regs' when clearly it is not.
Report says that patients at this clinic are treated worse than convicted inmates in a prison. Staff acts as if they are 'doing patients a favor' by oferring them treatment. Patients are threatened with having daily dose denied or takehomes pulled for petty infractions. Counselors are controllong and use any little excuse to deny takehomes. Staff makes up rules as they go along. Patients have complained about clinic closing early and not notifying patients. Patients considered to have 'bad attitudes' are threatened frequently with 'involuntary detox'.
Relative of patient that attends this clinic feels that the clinic discourages patients from withdrawing from methadone. She feels her relative is getting worse, not better, and fears for his mental and physical well-being.Mobile, AL
ECD (Ending Chemical Dependency)
What is the weekly fee? $84.00 Is clinic privately owned? Yes Is there a waiting list? No Is there a dose cap? Yes Is group counseling mandatory? Yes Is an emergency plan in effect? Yes Is staff on call at ALL times? Yes Does clinic have observed UA policy? Yes What is the average waiting time for dosing? 20 min. Does clinic offer Hep C testing or referral? Yes
Received a glowing report from patient about care received at this clinic. Patient states that clinic staff are caring, efficient, receptive and kind, and that patients are treated with utmost care and concern making their recovery through methadone something of which they can be proud.
Patient reports: "I read the 'glowing report' on my clinic some time ago, and have to say that it is not all that great there. My impression was that the report was written either by a new patient or by a counselor or owner pretending to be a patient. There is a fast turnover in counselors which makes it hard to work on personal problems. There have been breeches of confidentiality. The worst of which was when the police were allowed to view a patient's record without a court order - just walked in and asked. Takehome does are denied for positive UAs.
Clinic staff screams at patients in public areas. Much emphasis is put on 'catching UA cheaters' and not on providing patients with good medical treatment. Patients treated disrepectfully and with contempt by clinic staff.
This patient writes to tell us that there are NO cameras in the bathroom as previously stated by a patient report.
Patients with frequent positive UAs have their doses decreased. Clinic is using white 'methadone' that is very inferior to previous medication used. Clinic staff have told patients that they have been unable to get methadone.
Patient states that even though some patients aren't happy with the white 40 mg. Methadose diskettes, it is 'real methadone' but it's hoped that clinic will switch back to orange diskettes if possible. Watchdog receives reports from patients throughout the U.S. that have told us they have needed substantial dose increases when their clinic switches to Methadose.
