Rules and Regulations
Emeryville, Alameda County, California adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and California State laws.
Certification Procedures
To be certified, methadone clinics must:
- Meet standards for organization, staffing, record keeping, and services
- Develop plans for patient care coordinated by a medical director
- Provide counseling and testing services
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone helps people recover from opioid addiction. Benefits include:
- Reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allowing people to focus on counseling and recovery
- Lowering the risk of overdose
How Clinics Operate
Certified methadone clinics provide medication, counseling, drug testing, and other services to support people through recovery from opioid addiction.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid programs and many private insurance plans cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without coverage.
Drug Use in Emeryville
Opioid Crisis Declared Public Health Emergency
- In 2017, there were over 70,200 drug overdose deaths in the United States, including 47,600 opioid overdose deaths.
- The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- In California in 2020 there were 5,722 opioid-involved overdose deaths. This is a rate of 14.1 deaths per 100,000 persons compared to the national rate of 20.4 deaths per 100,000.
- The most commonly cited drugs in overdose deaths in California are fentanyl, heroin, prescription opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Data on Prevalence of Different Substances
- According to SAMHSA’s 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.14 million people in California aged 12 or older used illicit drugs in the past month. This represents around 6.5% of the state population.
- Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug, followed by misuse of prescription pain relievers.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a treatment facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment consists of periodic services for 1-2 hours at a time, 1-5 days per week. Services may include therapy, group counseling, and medication management.
Treatment Level Unreported
Approximately 67.5% of treatment facilities did not report their treatment level in California according to SAMHSA. It is estimated two-thirds are outpatient programs.
Comparison of Treatment in Emeryville vs. Oakland
| Category | Emeryville | Oakland |
| Treatment facilities | 5 | 23 |
| Inpatient beds available | 18 | 124 |
| Cost of treatment | $15,000/mo | $10,000/mo |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent opioid withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain, similar to other opioid drugs. Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) provide methadone doses daily for patients to take under supervision.
There are mixed societal attitudes towards methadone treatment. While it is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as merely substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows methadone helps patients stabilize their lives and reduce risk behaviors associated with opioid addiction when combined with counseling and social services.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that is taken daily to prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug cravings. It allows the brain and body to stabilize and function normally. While it is an opioid, the daily doses and supervision make it different than opioid addiction.
Methadone Distribution
Monitoring and Regulations
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 urine tests in the first year to detect any ongoing illicit drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, methadone doses are only dispensed as a daily observed dose. Over time, less frequent clinic visits may be allowed for stable patients.
- Interprofessional team: Methadone clinics have doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers collaborating on patient care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians routinely check the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) database while adjusting methadone doses to avoid adverse interactions.
According to California and Federal law, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug that can only be dispensed to patients enrolled in a licensed opioid treatment program.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder. Evidence includes:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for patients on methadone versus no medication
- Patients on methadone are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
- Retention in methadone treatment reduces the risk of overdose and disease transmission and increases employment
Methadone Risks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use.
In conclusion, methadone is beneficial but requires careful management because of risks.
About Emeryville
Emeryville is located in Alameda County in the state of California, United States.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
- Emeryville is located in Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Neighboring states: Oregon, Nevada
Capital and Largest City
- Capital of California: Sacramento
- Largest city in California: Los Angeles
Land Area
- Total area: 1.2 square miles
Infrastructure
- Roads: Interstate 80 and Interstate 580 pass through Emeryville
- Public transportation: Amtrak station, AC Transit bus system
Population Statistics
Total Population
Population of Emeryville: 10,080 (2010 Census)
Gender
- Male: 51%
- Female: 49%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 10%
- 18 to 65 years: 73%
- Over 65 years: 17%
Occupations
- Management, science, arts: 63%
- Sales, office/administrative: 24%
- Production & transportation: 13%
