Addiction Counselor on Methadone

I have a question.
I want to be an addiction counselor so very much, but there may be a problem because I have been on methadone for 3 years now and I'm not sure that I can be an addiction counselor while on methadone. Do you think that it is possible? To me, methadone is simply a medicine I take every day to stay well, just like someone with diabetes has to take insulin, or someone with liver problems has to take liver medication. Anyway, will it be possible for me to have the career I want while being on methadone? Does it depend on the employer? Any answers will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

i don't know you or know your mother but to call this person a junkie when you don't know them. Well you have no business judging someone like that. You have no idea what that person has been through. By the way I go to methadone clinic and I know that at least 60-70% of the people who go there started doing drugs because of a doctor that wrote out dangerous, addictive opiates for symptoms that could have easily been taken care of by giving them ibuprofin. So, don't act so high and mighty because you think you're better than this other person. He or she is correct that it is just medicine and whether they are as you say "a junkie", it doesn't matter because it is an illness just like any other. the only way you'd ever understand is if it happened to you, and don't be so naive to think it couldn't happen to you because most drug addicts start out thinking just that. So maybe you should open your horizons and study up on a subject before running your mouth. of course you're probably sittin at your computer drinking some beer but we're the bad guys because we're trying to get better. Further more if you ever bothered on doing the research you'd find that with programs like AA and other rehabs, they have a success rate of 1 out of 10. It means that only one person out of ten will end up sober whereas when a patient actually works the methadone program it has a much higher success rate. Now I know that there is always people that go there not wanting to get off of drugs but that is their perogative. As for you, leave your opinions to yourself before you go calling names at a person just wanting to help themselves and others. What have you ever done to help other or yourself? I don't care otherwise!

None ya: It is very unfortunate that people like you exist. So ignorant. It's sad, really.
BTW, I asked my addiction counselor at my clinic and she said that being on methadone should not be a problem. They actually prefer to hire recovering addicts because they have been through the same issues. Some clinics even require that you have been an addict before they will hire you. The patients relate more to someone who knows and has experienced what they are going through themselves.

Aww, does that make you angry? :)

And for the record, I have a job now. I've just always wanted to be an addiction counselor.
Don't assume that just because I'm an addict I don't have a job.
Haha, it makes me laugh how ignorant and absolutely ridiculous some people can be. :)

And thank you, msc10001. I wish there were more people in the world like you.

I have been clean & sober for 22 years. If you had asked me this question ten years ago I would have been highly judgmental and said No! Absolutely not! A person on methadone should not be a counselor and not even claim that they are sober. Now, I am more open. Back in the day, a person on Antabuse would not have been considered to be sober. I followed this train of thought for some time but today I think differently. A person who struggles to get clean and sober and who used his/her medication to stay clean and sober deserves my respect and compassion. If they take methadone, Antibuse or any similar doctor-prescribed medication to assist them in getting off their medication or staying on it until they no longer feel the need. Anyway more power to them. If they want to work in the field I think their experience, strength and hope would be valuable to the folks who wrote the question. An answer is coming their way soon!

Hello
My name is Devin. I too am on a methadone maintenace program. I also am looking into the career field of drug and alcohol counsoling.
I am beggining to start repairing my life after alot of mistakes I have made due to my heroin addiction. I was released from prison nine months ago. About five months after that I found myself in the grips of heroin again. I went to a local methadone clinic and I truly believe that it saved my life. I am starting to thinnk about all the important things in life again. Recently I have been the target of discrimination in a rehabilitaion setting due to me taking methadone. I lost my license several years ago due to a DUI. Now I have to take a certain amount of outpatient classes in order to get my licesne back. However I was at a rehab center and they drug tested me. I actually found it quite odd that this place tests for methadone. Even my parol officers drug cup doesnt test for it. However my parol officer knows that I do take it. Either way these people insisted that I was just as bad as someone who was currently using illicit opiates on the streets if I was taking methadone and couldn't partake in any classes through their facilty if I was currently on methadone.
The reason I bring this up is because I do want to be a drug and alcohol counsoler and if I can't even be a patient of a certain facility while on methadone how could I work for such a place on methadone? I am a very intelligent individual and I know that after I get my record exphunged in five years that I will be able to excell and grab any career I want. Most people outside of the world of drug and alcohol counsoling don't care what medications you are on as long as you are a reliable employee.
To all of you out there who are on methadone. God Bless you all. I have first hand experience of a life of addiction and a life of recovery. I know what most of you went through and am thankful that you all are alive, well, and able to share your story.