| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Behavioral Health | 2123 E. Southern Avenue Tempe, AZ 85282 | |
| Center for Behavioral Health Phoenix Inc | 2123 East Southern Avenue Suite 2 Tempe, AZ 85282 | (480) 897-7044 |
| Community Medical Services Tempe | 2525 S Rural Rd Tempe, AZ 85282 | |
| Valle Del Sol Inc East Clinic | 509 South Rockford Drive Tempe, AZ 85281 | (602) 258-6797x100 |
Rules and Regulations
Tempe, located in Maricopa County, adheres to Arizona state laws and federal regulations that govern methadone clinics and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. These rules aim to ensure effective, ethical, and safe operations.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and licensed by the state.
- Staff must meet educational and training requirements set by credentialing organizations.
- Regular inspections ensure compliance with regulations.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- MAT with methadone helps people with opioid addiction achieve sobriety.
- It reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- MAT is associated with lower rates of overdose deaths.
- It facilitates the patient’s social functioning and engagement in counseling.
How Clinics Operate
Methadone clinics provide supervised methadone doses and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The treatment goal is to gradually taper off methadone dependency.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance Coverage Many private and public insurance plans include MAT coverage following the Affordable Care Act’s substance use disorder provisions. Medicaid expansion under Arizona’s AHCCCS (Medicaid) program also increased MAT access. Uninsured individuals may qualify for state funding or clinics providing free or discounted services. Those without coverage can discuss flexible payment options with clinics.
Drug Use in Tempe
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths:
- In 2020, there were 1,904 drug overdose deaths in Arizona involving opioids. This is a 55% increase from 2019.
- Overdose deaths in Arizona involving prescription opioids have declined since 2017. However, deaths from heroin, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids have sharply increased.
Data on the Prevalence of Different Substances:
- Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used substances in Arizona. An estimated 6% of Arizonans use illicit drugs.
- Opioids, methamphetamine, and cocaine are the most harmful and commonly abused illicit drugs.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves living at a treatment facility for 30 days or longer. It provides 24/7 care, counseling, group therapy, medical supervision, and other services.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment provides services 1-5 days per week for 1-6 hours a day. It offers therapy, counseling, group support, and medication management.
Treatment Level Unreported
Approximately 38% of addiction treatment in Arizona is provided at an unknown level. Experts estimate most are outpatient services.
Comparison of Treatment in Tempe vs. Neighboring Cities
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Tempe, AZ | 15 | 250 | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 23 | 850 | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Mesa, AZ | 12 | 150 | $10,000-$25,0 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Mechanism as medication-assisted treatment, OTP principle
- Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder
- It activates opioid receptors, preventing withdrawal and cravings without euphoric effects
- Provided through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) with counseling and support services
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment
- Stigma exists due to misconceptions about substitution therapy
- Improved public awareness of evidence for effectiveness may help
Explanation in layman’s terms Methadone is a medicine that:
- Prevents opioid withdrawal symptoms
- Reduces drug cravings
- Allows normalization of brain function
- Enables focus on counseling and recovery
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring (PDMP) data to cross-reference opioid titration dosage carefully, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic index.
In Tempe and Maricopa County, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance requiring special licensing for distribution. The state PDMP helps providers coordinate care.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone:
- Reduces opioid use with 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- Reduces disease transmission
- Reduces crime
- Leads to 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
Retention in treatment:
- Reduces overdose/disease transmission risk
- Increases employment
Major Drawbacks
Potential for:
- Misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
Equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use. Benefits but also risks requiring careful management.
About Tempe
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Tempe is located in Maricopa County in central Arizona. It borders the following states:
- New Mexico (to the east)
- Utah (to the north)
- Nevada (to the northwest)
- California (to the west)
Capital and Largest City
Phoenix is the capital and largest city in Arizona.
Land Area
Tempe covers about 40 square miles of land area.
Infrastructure
As a suburb of Phoenix, Tempe has a developed infrastructure system including roads, public transportation, airports, hospitals and universities.
Population Statistics
Total Population
As of 2021, the population of Tempe was estimated to be 201,681.
Demographics:
- Under 18 years: 16.6%
- 18 to 24 years: 25.9% (includes Arizona State University students)
- 25 to 44 years: 32.8%
- 45 to 64 years: 16.3%
- 65 years and over: 8.4%
Occupations:
Top occupations in Tempe include education, health care, professional services, manufacturing and retail. Many residents also work for Arizona State University, located in Tempe, or commute to Phoenix for work.
