Methadone Clinics in North Little Rock

Rules and Regulations

North Little Rock adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Arkansas Department of Health.

Certification Procedures

• Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department.
• Staff must complete required training and clinics must meet facility standards.
• Regular inspections ensure compliance with regulations.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment with methadone helps individuals with opioid use disorder by:

• Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
• Reducing opioid cravings
• Allowing people to focus on counseling and recovery
• Lowering the risk of overdose

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The structured environment helps patients stabilize their lives and achieve long-term recovery.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Some also offer payment assistance or sliding-scale fees based on income.

Free clinics

Options for free or low-cost treatment may be available from certain nonprofit clinics or through state and county programs.

Drug Use in North Little Rock

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Arkansas specifically:

• There were 479 drug overdose deaths in 2020, a 45% increase from 2015
• Prescription opioids are involved in more than half of all overdose deaths
• Methamphetamine and heroin are also commonly abused substances

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

• Patients reside at the facility 24/7 for detox and counseling
• The typical stay is 28 days
• Services include medical care, therapy, 12-step programs

Outpatient Treatment

• Patients attend structured programming but do not stay overnight
• Attendance ranges from 1-5 days per week
• Services provided at clinics, health centers, etc.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of Arkansans struggling with addiction do not report treatment level

Comparison of Treatment Options

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 through a daily oral dose administered under medical supervision. This is known as an opioid treatment program (OTP).

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed, with some seeing it as merely replacing one addiction with another, while others recognize its benefits helping stabilize individuals and reduce illegal opioid use. In layman’s terms, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid, allowing a path to recovery.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is highly monitored and regulated with requirements including:

• Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to detect continued drug use.
• Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour dose, with more take-home doses allowed over time for stable patients.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team overseeing dosing and patient progress.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic index.

In North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance overseen by state and federal agencies.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. 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
• Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease transmission risk and increases employment

However, methadone does have some major drawbacks:

• Potential for misuse and diversion
• Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
• Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
• Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with other substances

Methadone is equally as effective as buprenorphine in reducing opioid use. In conclusion, methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring careful management.

About North Little Rock

Location, Pulaski County & Neighboring States

North Little Rock is located in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States. It borders the following states:

• Oklahoma
• Missouri
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Louisiana

Capital and Largest City

Little Rock is the capital and largest city in Arkansas.

Land Area

North Little Rock has a total area of 47.9 square miles.

Infrastructure

North Little Rock has a small local government and public services.

Population Statistics

The total population of North Little Rock is 66,757 as of the 2020 census.

Demographics

Gender

• Male: 47%
• Female: 53%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 22.1%
• 18 to 64 years: 59.5%
• 65 years and over: 18.4%

Occupations

• Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 32.2%
• Service occupations: 17.3%
• Sales and office occupations: 24.5%
• Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 11.8%
• Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 14.2%