Rules and Regulations
Compton, Los Angeles, California adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the California Department of Health Care Services.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular facility inspections are conducted
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows people to focus on counseling and recovery
- Lowers risk of overdose and transmitting infections
- Improves overall health and social functioning
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder. Treatment includes:
- Methadone dosing daily under supervision
- Individual and group counseling and behavioral therapy
- Ongoing assessment and treatment planning
- Drug testing and monitoring
- Referrals for mental health, medical, and social services
Insurance Coverage
Free Clinics
Some clinics offer services at little or no cost based on patient income eligibility.
Public and Private Insurance Coverage Details
Most private insurance plans and Medi-Cal cover methadone treatment. Patient costs may include co-pays or deductibles. Uninsured patients pay out-of-pocket based on a sliding fee scale.
Drug Use in Compton
- In 2017, 47,600 opioid overdose deaths were reported nationally, prompting a public health emergency declaration.
- In 2016, over 1,900 opioid overdose deaths occurred in Los Angeles County.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Traditional option for severe substance abuse requiring 24/7 monitoring.
- Typical stay between 28-90 days with detox, counseling, medical care, etc.
Outpatient Treatment
- Less intensive treatment option allowing the patient to live at home.
- Consists of regular counseling sessions around 1-5 times per week.
Treatment Level Unreported
Many do not report the type of treatment undergone. Per SAMHSA data, 18.9% of treatment admissions in LA fall under the “level unreported” category.
Comparison of Treatment in Compton vs. Long Beach
| Category | Compton | Long Beach |
| Treatment facilities | 1,547 | 323 |
| Inpatient beds available | 4,176 | 1,315 |
| Cost of treatment | $15,000+/month | $10,000+/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing patients to focus on recovery.
There are mixed societal attitudes towards methadone treatment. While it is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as merely replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows methadone helps patients stay in treatment and reduces opioid use and associated health/social risks. More education is needed to reduce stigma.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly regulated with required monitoring to prevent misuse:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 random tests in the first year to ensure appropriate use and identify any additional substance use issues.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, the supply is limited to 24 hours with onsite dosing. As patients progress, take-homes increase incrementally, contingent on program compliance.
- Monitoring: Programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, and social workers to provide comprehensive care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state PDMP data to safely manage methadone doses, given its narrow therapeutic index.
In California, methadone is a Schedule II drug indicating accepted medical use but a high potential for harm/dependence without monitoring.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies demonstrate it is an extremely effective medication for opioid use disorder. Evidence shows methadone:
- Reduces opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Increases treatment retention by 4.44x
- Retention reduces overdose risk/disease transmission and increases employment
However, methadone does carry risks including misuse potential and, if combined with other sedatives, overdose risk due to respiratory depression. It can also prolong the QT interval on ECGs, rarely causing arrhythmias. Furthermore, sudden discontinuation causes severe withdrawal.
Compared to other MAT medications like buprenorphine, studies show similar efficacy for reducing illicit opioid use when properly managed. However, oversight is imperative to maximize benefits and minimize harms.
About Compton
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Compton is located in Los Angeles County in the state of California. Neighboring states include Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona.
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest cities in California are Sacramento and Los Angeles, respectively.
Land Area
The land area of Compton is approximately 10.12 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The total population of Compton is 96,455 as of the 2010 census.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 46%
- Female: 54%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 29.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 62.5%
- 65 years and over: 8.1%
Occupations
- Management/professional: 24%
- Service: 28.8%
- Sales and office: 15.9%
- Construction, maintenance, repair: 11.9%
- Production and transportation: 19.4%
