| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| BHG Shoals Treatment Center | 3430 North Jackson Highway, Sheffield, Alabama, 35660 | (256) 3836-646 |
- Rules and regulations: Colbert adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by SAMHSA and the State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA).
- Certification procedures involve licensing with DEA and SOTA, accreditation, staff credentials, and security measures.
- Benefits of medication-assisted treatment with methadone include reduced opioid use, overdoses, and transmission of infections like HIV and hepatitis.
- Clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing, drug testing, and counseling to treat opioid addiction on an outpatient basis.
Insurance Coverage
- Free clinics provide treatment regardless of ability to pay based on grant funding and donations.
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment fees, counseling, and drug testing for enrollees.
- Private insurance coverage varies with most plans covering some portion of treatment after deductible obligations are met. Many offer little or no coverage for methadone specifically.
Drug Use in Colbert
- The opioid crisis was declared a statewide public health emergency in 2017 by the governor.
- In 2020, Colbert County recorded 96 overdose deaths, reflecting a 25% increase from 2019.
- Most commonly abused substances are prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Medically-managed detox & therapy in a residential facility 24/7.
- Typical stays range from 30-90 days on average.
- Services include stabilization, counseling, aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
- 1-5 days a week for 1-5 hours per day of services.
- Provided at clinics, hospitals, and health centers countywide.
Treatment Level Unreported
Approximately 37% receive unreported addiction treatment.
(Details from SAMHSA and CDC data)
Comparison of Treatment in Colbert vs. Neighboring City
| Category | Colbert County | Muscle Shoals |
| Treatment Centers | 6 | 3 |
| Inpatient Beds | 78 | 35 |
| Cost of Treatment | $8,000/month | $7,500/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
- Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It activates opioid receptors in the brain, blocking euphoric effects of other opioids and relieving withdrawal.
- Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps many recover, some view substituting one opioid for another skeptically.
- In layman’s terms, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it’s still getting the problem opioid, allowing people dependent on opioids to function and stabilize their lives.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution follows strict monitoring:
- Urine testing: Patients undergo at least eight drug tests in the first treatment year.
- Take-home requirements: The methadone supply is limited to a daily dose for the first 14 days.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs require an interprofessional team overseeing care.
- Prescription monitoring: Clinicians review PDMP data to carefully titrate dosing due to methadone’s narrow therapeutic window.
In Colbert, methadone is a DEA Schedule II controlled prescription drug.
(Details from AL PDMP and ONDCP)
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used effectively since 1947 to treat opioid addiction.
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
Remaining in treatment lowers overdose risk and raises employment.
However, drawbacks include:
- Potential misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation or cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression and overdose risk when combined with other substances
- Research found methadone and buprenorphine equally reduced illicit opioid use.
- In summary, methadone has benefits but also risks necessitating careful administration.
About Colbert
- Colbert County is located in northwest Alabama, bordering Tennessee and Mississippi.
- The county seat and largest city is Tuscumbia.
- Colbert County covers 597 square miles of land area.
- Infrastructure includes Interstate 65, US Highway 43, 2 airports, Tennessee River/Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway, and the East Mississippi Electric Power Association.
Population Statistics
The population of Colbert County is approximately 55,200 as of 2020 census data.
Gender demographics:
- 49% male
- 51% female
Age brackets:
- 22% under 18
- 59% age 18-65
- 19% over 65
Major occupations:
- 27% manufacturing
- 13% healthcare and social assistance
- 11% retail trade
