| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Community Medical Services Yuma | 501 W 8th Street Yuma, AZ 85364 | |
| Yuma Treatment Center | 1290 West 8th Place, Suite A, Yuma, AZ 85364 | (928) 344-4310 |
Rules and Regulations
Yuma, Arizona adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Arizona State Legislature. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of best practices.
Certification Procedures
To be certified, a methadone clinic must:
- Be accredited by a SAMHSA-approved accrediting organization
- Employ state-licensed and credentialed staff
- Maintain detailed patient records with treatment plans
- Have proper security and storage for methadone
- Comply with confidentiality laws like HIPAA
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Benefits of methadone maintenance treatment include:
- Reducing opioid withdrawal and cravings
- Allowing people to function normally and participate in society
- Lowering the risk of overdose or transmitting diseases
How Clinics Operate
Certified methadone clinics provide daily monitored doses of methadone to treat opioid addiction. The goal is to help people achieve sobriety and healthy, productive lives. Clinics also offer counseling and community referrals.
Insurance Coverage
Free and reduced-cost treatment may be available from state-funded programs. Both public and private insurance plans typically cover methadone treatment to some extent, with possible copay or limitations. Details vary by plan.
Drug Use in Yuma
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 22.3 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 population in Yuma County. This was higher than the Arizona average of 20.9 deaths per 100,000.
The most common drugs involved in overdoses in Yuma County in 2020 were:
- Opioids (prescription and illicit): 14 deaths
- Methamphetamine: 5 deaths
- Cocaine: 2 deaths
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for substance abuse treatment. Treatment can last from 30 days to 1 year. Services include medical detoxification, individual and group counseling, medication management, and aftercare planning for transition back into the community.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home and attend treatment sessions at the facility up to 7 days a week for several hours at a time. Services are similar to inpatient but at lower intensity.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-15% of people receive unofficial, unreported addiction treatment from sources such as religious organizations, alternative medicine clinics, or self-help groups.
Comparison of Treatment in Yuma vs. Phoenix
| Category | Yuma, AZ | Phoenix, AZ |
| Number of treatment facilities | 15 | 95 |
| Inpatient beds available | 250 beds | 1850 beds |
| Approximate cost of 30-day inpatient treatment | $10,000 | $15,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It is taken orally once daily and binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is dispensed through certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs) that provide counseling and urine drug screening along with the medication.
Methadone maintenance has been used since the 1960s to treat opioid addiction. Some view it positively as an evidence-based treatment that improves outcomes and reduces the harms of opioid addiction. Others see it more negatively as simply replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows that methadone maintenance is associated with reduced illicit opioid use, crime, disease transmission, and overdose death when properly regulated. Still, stigma remains. Explaining that methadone normalizes brain function, blocks the euphoric effects of other opioids, and allows people to regain functionality can help reduce stigma.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly monitored and regulated.
- Urine testing: Patients undergo at least eight random tests in the first year to ensure appropriate use and detect additional substance use.
- Take-home doses: Limited to a 24-hour supply for the first 14 days then gradually increased for compliant patients.
- Interprofessional teams: OTPs require physicians, nurses, and behavioral health counselors to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians routinely review state PDMP data to ensure safe opioid dosage and detect duplicative prescriptions.
In Yuma, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, meaning it has accepted medical use but also potential for abuse and dependence. The Yuma County opioid action plan prioritizes improving access to MAT.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective medication for opioid use disorder. Methadone reduces illicit opioid use, disease transmission through injection drug use, and criminal activity. Patients on methadone have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which itself reduces risks. Retention improves employment outcomes.
However, methadone does have risks including misuse potential and severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly. It can prolong the QT interval, increasing cardiac risks. Combining methadone with other substances increases risks of respiratory depression and overdose. Still, it remains equally effective as buprenorphine in reducing illicit opioid use. With careful management, methadone’s benefits outweigh its risks for many patients.
About Yuma
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Yuma is located in the southwest corner of Arizona, in Yuma County. It borders the following U.S. states:
Yuma serves as the county seat and largest city in Yuma County.
Capital and Largest City
As the largest city in Yuma County, Yuma serves as the county seat.
Land Area
Yuma County encompasses 5,519 square miles of land.
Population Statistics
Total Population
As of the 2020 census, the population of Yuma is approximately 107,475 residents. Meanwhile, Yuma County has a population size of around 228,000 people.
Demographics:
Gender
The gender distribution in Yuma is 51.8% female and 48.2% male.
Age Brackets
Over 20% of Yuma’s population is under age 18. Seniors over age 65 represent 15.8% of the city’s populace.
Occupations
The largest industries providing employment in Yuma are agriculture, military services, tourism, retail, and health care. Top agricultural products include cattle, cotton, lettuce, and other vegetables.
