| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Community Medical Services Sierra Vista | 302 El Camino Real Building 10-C, Sierra Vista, Arizona, 85635 | (520) 8956-300 |
Cochise adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Typical certification procedures cover aspects such as licensing, regular compliance inspections, personnel qualifications, dispensing protocols, inventory controls, security standards, and patient limits.
Clinics provide medication-assisted treatment using methadone, an opioid agonist medication that reduces cravings and blocks euphoric effects of other opioids. This allows people struggling with opioid addiction to regain stability and function while managing their recovery. Clinics dispense daily methadone doses under medical supervision along with counseling.
Insurance Coverage
Cochise has limited grant-funded methadone clinics offering free or affordable treatment based on financial hardship and lack of health insurance. More typical coverage options include:
- Medicaid: Arizona Medicaid programs cover treatment costs, counseling, care coordination, and tests for eligible members subject to restrictions.
- Private Insurance: Some plans may cover portions subjected to deductibles, copays, exclusions based on the plan details. Coverage varies significantly.
Drug Use in Cochise
- Opioid crisis declared public health emergency in Arizona in 2017
- Over 2,500 opioid involved overdose deaths in Arizona in 2021
- High rates of heroin, meth, and cocaine seizures in Cochise County
Top 5 most commonly cited drugs in addiction treatment admissions in Cochise County:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at facility 24/7 for typical stays of 30, 60 or 90 days
- Structure, counseling, group therapy, medical care
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend programs but do not stay overnight
- Sessions multiple times per week for several hours a day
- Offered in various formats – individual, group, family, etc.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 35% of treatment admissions in Cochise did not specify treatment level
Comparison of Treatment in Cochise County vs. Pima County
| Category | Cochise County | Pima County |
| Number of Treatment Facilities | 22 | 257 |
| Inpatient Beds Available | 113 | 1,248 |
| Approx. Monthly Cost of Treatment | $7,000 | $10,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). As an opioid that binds to brain receptors, it reduces cravings and withdrawal without causing a significant high. Taken orally once daily, it provides stable effects allowing patients to function normally. However, methadone treatment is often stigmatized.
Methadone Distribution
Arizona and federal regulations tightly control methadone distribution:
- Urine testing: Patients must complete at least 8 tests for illicit drugs in the first treatment year.
- Take-home doses: During the first 14 days, take-home methadone is limited to a daily dose. More take-homes are permitted later contingent on progress.
- Monitoring: Interprofessional teams monitor patient progress and stability.
- Prescription monitoring: Clinicians must check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to coordinate care and avoid negative interactions.
Arizona categorizes methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance – legal for medical use but with addiction potential.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has treated opioid addiction since 1947 with significant evidence of benefits. Studies demonstrate methadone decreases illicit opioid use, HIV risks, criminal acts, and mortality while improving health and functioning compared to placebo, detoxification, non-medication rehab, and waitlisting groups. Specifically, MAT with methadone links to 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and 4.44 higher odds of staying in treatment versus non-medication protocols. Greater retention itself decreases disease risks and associates with increased employment.
However, methadone also carries misuse and diversion risks, severe withdrawal if stopped abruptly, QTc prolongation raising cardiac issues, and respiratory depression/overdose danger combined with benzodiazepines or alcohol. Still, studies show similar efficacy between methadone and buprenorphine in reducing illicit opioid use. In conclusion, methadone has benefits but requires careful patient selection, dosing, monitoring, and risk mitigation to optimize outcomes.
About Cochise
Cochise County is located in southeast Arizona along the U.S.-Mexico border. It borders New Mexico to the east and the Mexican state of Sonora to the south. The county seat and largest city is Bisbee. Cochise County covers over 6,200 square miles of land area. Key infrastructure includes Interstate 10 and U.S. Route 80 along transportation access points.
Population Statistics
As of the 2020 Census, the population of Cochise County is 126,755 residents. Key demographics include:
Gender:
- Male: 64,251 (50.7%)
- Female: 62,504 (49.3%)
Age:
- Under 18 years: 19.6%
- 18 to 64 years: 52.3%
- 65 years and over: 28.1%
Occupations:
- Management/business/science/arts: 27.9%
- Service: 19.4%
- Sales/office: 24.1%
- Natural resources/construction/maintenance: 13.5%
- Production/transportation/material moving: 15.1%
The county’s largest ethnic groups are White (76.4%) and Hispanic/Latino (39.7%). Key industries include government services, healthcare, agriculture, mining, retail, and tourism related to historic sites.
