Methadone Treatment and Counselling for Prescription Opioid Dependence and PTSD

Methadone Treatment and Counselling for Prescription Opioid Dependence after chronic Injury Pain and PTSD

Many people who develop opioid dependence do so not through recreational drug use, but through legitimate medical treatment for chronic pain. At The OAD Clinic, we specialise in helping patients safely transition away from prescription opioids while ensuring their underlying pain condition remains effectively managed throughout.

We also appreciate the need for specialist opioid dependence counselling alongside structured methadone treatment and other treatments.

Daniel's Story with successful PTSD and Painkiller Addiction following chronic pain

"Before I started treatment at The OAD Clinic, my life was dominated by stress, anxiety and opioid dependence. After sustaining injuries during my military and law enforcement career, I was prescribed opiates for pain. Over time, those prescriptions evolved into a long-term dependence that affected every aspect of my mental health, work and personal life.

Previous addiction treatment focused almost entirely on prescribing more medication, with very little attention paid to the psychological side of opioid addiction. I felt trapped in a cycle where my life revolved around my next prescription rather than my recovery.

The stability this brought to my life regarding mental health, working and personal life was immediate. I transferred partly from tablets to concentrate and began to use the medicine as it was intended, where as before it was often used as an air bag to cushion unwanted feelings and events in my life. I became mentally, professionally and personally able to see the addiction for what it was, and with counselling rearranged my life to best enable future sobriety.

I was naturally anxious about transferring my care to a private opioid addiction clinic, but the OAD Clinic is completely different from any other clinic I have attended. My background was military and law enforcement and therefore after receiving injury I developed an addiction to opiates. I dealt better with Oscar and Mark's disciplined and structured treatment and their very genuine protocols to understand and make the patient the best person they could be. There was never any feeling of being an addict first , and therefore not to be believed, and yet the structure made you want to succeed and do well for yourself because of their sincerity and faith in your ability. The doctor's honest, straightforward approach immediately gave me confidence. For the first time, I was offered a clear treatment plan with realistic expectations, structure and accountability. That clarity reduced my anxiety almost immediately because I finally trusted the people guiding my recovery.

Unlike other NHS and private addiction services I had experienced, The OAD Clinic never made me feel defined by my addiction. Their structured and compassionate approach reminded me of the teamwork and discipline I knew from my military background. Rather than reinforcing failure, they rebuilt my confidence and self-respect, helping me regain control of both my mental health and my future. The OAD Clinic Is something different that gives the patient the will to trust himself and take control of his own life.

What made the biggest difference was the combination of specialist opioid dependence treatment, PTSD counselling, medical expertise and genuine belief in my ability to recover. After around three months of treatment, with counselling for my PTSD and transitioning from195mg of methadone in pill form to liquid methadone concentrate, I noticed a remarkable change. Methadone and counting pills was no longer the first thing I thought about every morning. I could work long days without obsessing over my next dose, knowing my medication would be waiting for me at home. Through counselling and regular reviews, I realised that much of what I had mistaken for withdrawal was actually anxiety about losing access to medication. Understanding that distinction was a genuine breakthrough in my recovery from opioid dependence, PTSD and trauma.

I started to realise that I was not wholly consumed with how much medication I had and when the next script was due after about 3 months under The OAD Clinic. I began to work all day and take the medication when I got home late evening and mostly slept all night without waking. This was a big step as it meant that I did not need to take the medicine in the morning to get through the day. I would sometimes do 14 hour days and was secure as I knew the next dose was at home and after a meal I would fall asleep and therefore learned that methadone was not the first thing I thought of when I woke up, in fact it was the last thing before sleep. I realised that the anxiety of not being able to get the medicine was a major contributor to what I saw as withdrawal but was in fact just anxiety, adrenaline and cortisol pumping through my veins. This was a major break through in my journey from PTSD , gunshot wounds and then addiction, which was a " Road to Damascus moment" and helped to show addiction and how it affected me. Over the following six to twelve months, my recovery became stronger and more stable. My relationships improved, my career became more manageable and my overall mental wellbeing continued to grow.

The greatest test of everything I had learnt came when I was diagnosed with cancer. Throughout my diagnosis, major surgery and recovery, The OAD Clinic remained by my side. The team provided ongoing emotional support and helped me prepare mentally for the operation, giving me the confidence to proceed despite my fears. When my surgery became far more complicated than expected, lasting eight hours instead of three, the clinic worked closely with the hospital to coordinate my pain management. Because ketamine and fentanyl triggered severe PTSD symptoms linked to my military service, the team ensured my treatment plan took both my physical recovery and mental health into account. I will forever be indebted to the clinic for getting me through it and prepping me mentally to be able to deal with the cancer diagnosis. I am stronger mentally and across my life and relationships thanks to the superb care from all the staff at The OAD Clinic.

A big part of not giving up came from The OAD Clinic, offering help and support and being there to help me make the choice to undergo surgery. Looking back, I genuinely believe that the specialist addiction counselling, personalised methadone treatment and unwavering support I received from The OAD Clinic were fundamental not only to my recovery from opioid addiction, but also to helping me face cancer with resilience and determination. Today, I am cancer-free, mentally stronger and living a life that I never believed was possible during the darkest days of addiction.

I urge everybody who has opioid dependence, new or long-term, to firstly feel safe in your addiction, cutting out the fear of not having the drug. I have experienced most types of D.D.U clinics private and NHS, and I can honestly say, the OAD Clinic is something else, it is the sum of all the parts, the staff and how they are chosen and how they interact with each other. With opioid addiction counselling, structured treatment and compassionate clinical support, they have made a difference to my life. I waited a long time for a clinic like this and I am happy to recommend it to anybody suffering under the yolk of addiction and everything that goes with it."

Daniel Weber, Patient

This account is published with the patient's consent; identifying details have been changed.

How The OAD Clinic Treats PTSD and Chronic Pain Prescription Opioid Dependence

Our clinical team provides specialist outpatient assessment and treatment for patients who have developed dependence on prescription opioids, including those managing co-occurring chronic pain conditions and mental health. Treatment is tailored to each patient's medical history, pain management needs and daily life.

Our treatment options include:

Private methadone prescribing - methadone treatment programme provides carefully monitored prescribing, regular medication reviews and prompt dose adjustments to maintain stability, reduce cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms. We strictly follow NICE guidelines on methadone prescribing to ensure patient welfare and before, during and after methadone treatment.
Opioid addiction counselling - delivered by our prescribing clinicians and psychiatrists who fully understand your treatment experience and life outside treatment. Treatment for co-occurring mental health and opioid dependence can also involve integrated treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, or ADHD. The OAD Clinic provides integrated treatment that addresses both addiction and underlying mental health conditions, helping patients achieve more sustainable long-term recovery rather than treating symptoms in isolation
Ongoing Buprenorphine and Buvidal® Treatment - while buprenorphine stabilises opioid receptor activity, reduces cravings and manages withdrawal, Buvidal is a long-acting buprenorphine injection administered weekly or monthly, removing the need for daily medication and making treatment practical for working professionals and frequent travellers
Medically supervised opioid transition - careful, monitored transition away from short-acting opioids such as oxycodone, codeine, morphine or fentanyl
Medically Supervised Prescription Opioid Detox - the focus is on reducing withdrawal symptoms while helping patients achieve physical and psychological stability with gradual dose adjustments based on clinical progress rather than rigid timelines
Co-occurring pain management - where chronic pain is a factor, our team works to ensure pain remains effectively managed throughout recovery, using non-opioid strategies such as pregabalin where appropriate
PTSD and Complex PTSD Treatment - therapies include EMDR, CBT, family therapy and Counselling by our senior prescribing clinician. Medication is advised in specific cases to manage combined insomnia, anxiety or depression

All treatment is delivered on an outpatient basis, allowing most patients to continue working and maintaining their normal routine throughout. Our regular clinical reviews form an integral part of all treatment paths to facilitate ongoing monitoring and prompt adjustment of treatment throughout recovery.

Flexible Online and Face-to-Face Appointments

We understand that not every patient can attend the clinic in person. We offer secure online addiction treatment appointments, making ongoing care accessible for patients with disabilities, mobility difficulties, demanding careers or those living elsewhere in the UK or internationally.

Managing PTSD and Treatment for Painkiller Addiction:

Frequently Asked Questions answered by Daniel

I rely on methadone every day. Can I ever stop thinking about my next dose?

You definitely can. That was one of the biggest changes I experienced during my treatment at The OAD Clinic. Before I started, my entire day revolved around my medication. I kept thinking when my next prescription was due, whether I had enough to last, and what would happen if I couldn't access it. It was a living nightmare. After around three months of treatment, I realised I could work an entire day without constantly thinking about methadone. Eventually, taking my medication became the last thing I did before going to sleep, rather than the first thing I thought about every morning. That freedom completely changed my life.

Can a private methadone clinic help if I developed opioid addiction after an injury?

Yes. My opioid dependence began after serious injuries during my military and law enforcement career. I wasn't looking to misuse medication, it was just prescribed to manage severe pain. The doctors at The OAD Clinic understood that prescription opioid dependence can happen to anyone. They treated me with respect and focused on helping me recover, rather than judging how my addiction began.

What makes The OAD Clinic different from other addiction clinics?

I've attended both NHS and private addiction services, and my experience at The OAD Clinic was completely different. From my first consultation, there was honesty, structure and clear expectations. Rather than making me feel like an addict, the team treated me like a person with potential. Their approach gave me confidence, rebuilt my self-esteem and helped me believe I could regain control of my life.

Can methadone treatment help improve my mental health?

In my experience, yes. Before starting treatment, I lived with constant stress and anxiety. Once I transferred my care to The OAD Clinic, I quickly noticed improvements in my mental wellbeing. Having a structured treatment plan and trusting the clinical team reduced much of the anxiety I'd been carrying for years. My recovery went beyond my medication. I finally felt mentally stable enough to rebuild my life.

Can PTSD and opioid addiction be treated together?

They certainly can. Living with PTSD and being dependent on opioids made recovery much more complicated for me. The clinicians at The OAD Clinic understood how trauma affected my addiction and tailored my treatment accordingly. Rather than focusing just on medication, they helped me understand the connection between my mental health and substance use, which became a major turning point. That was the aha! moment.

Is anxiety mistaken for opioid withdrawal?

That was one of the biggest discoveries I made during treatment. For years, I believed every uncomfortable feeling meant I was experiencing withdrawal. As my treatment went on, I realised much of what I thought was withdrawal was actually anxiety: the fear of running out of medication or not being able to access my prescription. Once that fear disappeared, my recovery accelerated dramatically.

Can you still work full-time while receiving methadone treatment?

Yes. One of my goals was returning to a stable working life. After stabilising on treatment, I was able to work long days without constantly thinking about medication. I regularly completed 14-hour shifts and found that my methadone no longer controlled my schedule. Instead, work, family and everyday life became my life again.

Does The OAD Clinic only prescribe medication?

No, and that's one of the reasons I believe their approach works so well. Medication was only one part of my treatment. I also received counselling and ongoing support that helped me understand why I had become dependent in the first place. Instead of simply maintaining my addiction, the clinic helped me rebuild my confidence, improve my mental health and prepare for long-term recovery. The support I received leading up to my operation was not an obligation on their part, but they gave me the strength as people. You can't pay for that.

Can addiction treatment help during serious illness like cancer?

In my case, it absolutely did. During my recovery I was diagnosed with cancer and needed major surgery. The team at The OAD Clinic worked closely with my hospital, helping to manage my medication in a safe way while taking my PTSD into account. They supported me before, during and after surgery, and I genuinely believe their care helped me face one of the biggest challenges of my life. Today, I am cancer free.

Can addiction specialists work with hospitals during surgery?

Yes. When I underwent major cancer surgery, The OAD Clinic communicated directly with my hospital team to ensure my addiction treatment continued safely throughout my care there. Because certain pain medications triggered traumatic memories linked to my PTSD, they helped find a safer approach to pain management. That level of coordination gave me enormous reassurance during an incredibly difficult time.

Can private addiction treatment help rebuild your confidence?

Without question. Before treatment, I had lost much of my confidence and self-esteem. The structured approach at The OAD Clinic reminded me that I was more than my addiction. Instead of feeling ashamed, I felt supported and encouraged to become the best version of myself. That mindset changed not only my recovery but every aspect of my personal and professional life.

Is private methadone treatment suitable for military veterans and emergency service personnel?

Speaking from personal experience, yes. Coming from a military and law enforcement background, I appreciated the clinic's honest, disciplined and structured approach. The treatment felt familiar in many ways, it encouraged responsibility while also providing genuine compassion and support. I found that balance incredibly effective during my recovery.

How long does it take to feel stable on methadone treatment?

Everyone is different, but I noticed significant changes after about three months. That was when I stopped constantly worrying about my next prescription and began trusting both the treatment and myself. Over the following six to twelve months, my mental health, work, relationships and overall quality of life continued to improve steadily.

Is recovery about more than stopping drugs?

Definitely. Recovery wasn't simply about reducing methadone. It was about rebuilding every part of my life: my confidence, my mental health, my relationships, my family and my future. The biggest lesson I learned was that addiction isn't just about medication; it's also about fear, anxiety and losing trust in yourself. The OAD Clinic helped me overcome all of those things.

Would you recommend private addiction treatment to someone struggling with opioid addiction?

Without hesitation. I've experienced NHS services and other private clinics over many years, but The OAD Clinic has been unlike anywhere else. The professionalism of the staff, the consistency of care and the genuine belief they have in their patients made an enormous difference to my recovery. If you're struggling with opioid addiction, if it's new or something you've lived with for years, I would encourage you to reach out. The right support can change your life, and it certainly changed mine.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Oscar D'Agnone MD, MRCPsych | Medical Director - Last reviewed: 25 July 2026

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