Rules and Regulations
Tallassee, Elmore County, Alabama adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state.
- Staff must meet educational and training requirements.
- Regular facility inspections enforce safety and treatment standards.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Methadone and other medications relieve withdrawal symptoms for people addicted to opioids.
- Medications can reduce cravings and enable people to focus on counseling and skills building.
- Medication-assisted treatment is proven to:
- Lower risk of overdose death
- Reduce transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis
- Increase treatment retention
- Decrease criminal activity
How Clinics Operate
Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone and counseling to support people in recovery from opioid addiction. The goal is to help people function without the negative effects of addiction.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid covers methadone treatment costs in Alabama. Some private insurers also provide coverage, often with copays or limitations. Those without insurance may qualify for free or reduced-cost treatment through publicly-funded clinics. Eligibility is based on income.
Drug Use in Tallassee
Opioid Crisis Declared Public Health Emergency
In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This impacts Tallassee and surrounding areas.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- In 2020, there were 1,927 drug overdose deaths in Alabama, a 27% increase from 2019. Opioids were involved in 79% of these deaths.
- Elmore County reported 17 overdose deaths in 2020. The overdose mortality rate was 14.4 per 100,000 persons.
Data on Prevalence of Different Substances
- Alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription opioids are commonly abused substances in Elmore County and Tallassee.
- Marijuana use is also prevalent. In 2020, about 209,000 Alabamians aged 12+ reported using marijuana in the past year.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment provides services for several hours a day, several days a week, allowing the person to live at home. Services include counseling, group therapy, and medication management.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10% of treatment facilities did not report their treatment level in Alabama. Most of these are presumed to offer outpatient services.
Comparison of Treatment in Tallassee vs. Montgomery
| Categories | Tallassee | Montgomery |
| Treatment facilities | 2 | 15 |
| Inpatient beds available | 16 | 124 |
| Cost of treatment | $15,000/month | $20,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain, reducing illicit opioid use. Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) provide methadone doses daily for stabilized treatment plans.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed – while it does help many people recover, some view it as merely replacing one opioid addiction with another. However, research shows methadone maintenance is effective when properly monitored.
Methadone Distribution
OTPs distributing methadone must follow strict federal and state regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect illicit drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a one-day/24-hour dose.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully cross-reference other opioid prescriptions, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window.
In Tallassee, Elmore County, Alabama, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance, with extra regulations on distribution.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission from injection drug use, and drug-related crime. Data indicates patients on methadone maintenance have:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times higher likelihood of staying in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose mortality risk by 50% and increases employment opportunities
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion of medication
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possibility of QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
Comparison research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. However careful monitoring and management of risks/benefits is essential.
Methadone provides benefits but also risks requiring careful management.
About Tallassee
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Tallassee is located in Elmore County in central Alabama. It borders Georgia to the east, Tennessee to the north, Mississippi to the west, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
Capital and Largest City
Montgomery is the capital and largest city in Alabama.
Land Area
Tallassee has a total area of 15.7 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Tallassee was 4,819 at the 2010 census.
Gender
- Male: 48%
- Female: 52%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 24.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 52.5%
- 65 years and over: 23.1%
Occupations
- Management/professional: 32.6%
- Service: 17.2%
- Sales/office: 23.7%
- Farming/fishing/forestry: 0.3%
- Construction/maintenance/repair: 11.4%
- Production/transportation/material moving: 14.8%
