| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| American Health Services Palmdale Medical | 2720 East Palmdale Boulevard Suite 129 Palmdale, CA 93550 | (661) 947-3333 |
Rules and Regulations
Palmdale adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and accredited by an independent accreditation body
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular facility inspections occur to ensure compliance
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Facilitates recovery by allowing patients to focus on counseling and lifestyle changes
- Lowers risk of overdose and transmitting infections
- Improves social functioning and quality of life
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
- Provide methadone doses under medical supervision
- Conduct drug testing and counseling
- Connect patients to healthcare and social services
- The goal is to mitigate individual and public health risks of opioid addiction
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid and Medicare may cover methadone treatment
- Private insurance often covers treatment to some extent
- Grants help fund low-cost and free treatment programs
Drug Use in Palmdale
The opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency in 2017. In Los Angeles County:
- There were 2,395 opioid overdose deaths in 2020 (up 33% from 2016)
- Fentanyl is involved in the majority of overdoses
- Methamphetamine accounts for most drug seizures
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- The typical stay is 28 days
- 24/7 medical care and counseling
- Detoxification, behavioral therapy, medication
Outpatient Treatment
- 1-5 visits per week for counseling
- Local clinics and rehab centers
- Support groups and relapse prevention
Treatment Level Unreported
- Estimated 40% of addicts seek no treatment
- Stigma, cost, and availability limit access
Comparison of Treatment in Palmdale vs. Lancaster
| Category | Palmdale | Lancaster |
| Treatment Centers | 15 | 12 |
| Inpatient Beds | 250 | 200 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000/mo | $12,000/mo |
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), to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing patients to focus on recovery.
There are mixed societal perspectives on methadone treatment. While it has demonstrated effectiveness for treating opioid addiction, some view it as merely replacing one opioid with another. Others argue the structure of MAT programs helps stabilize patients’ lives. Overall, evidence shows MAT with methadone positively impacts public health outcomes.
Methadone Distribution
MAT programs must follow strict federal and state regulations in distributing methadone:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 random tests in the first year to detect illicit drug use.
- Take-home doses: Limited to a 1-day supply for the first 14 days then gradually increased based on patients’ progress.
- Monitoring: Interprofessional teams of doctors, nurses, and counselors provide comprehensive treatment plans and monitoring.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully manage methadone’s dosing due to its narrow therapeutic index.
In California, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, available only through regulated MAT programs.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone treatment:
- Reduces opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Increases treatment retention by 4.44x compared to non-medication approaches
- Retention reduces overdose risk and increases employment
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
About Palmdale
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Palmdale is located in Los Angeles County in the Antelope Valley region of Southern California. It is situated in the High Desert area of the Mojave Desert. Neighboring states include Nevada to the east and Arizona to the southeast.
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest cities in California are Sacramento and Los Angeles, respectively.
Land Area
The land area of Palmdale is 106.2 square miles.
Infrastructure
Palmdale has access to major transportation infrastructure like:
- State Route 14 freeway
- Rail service via Metrolink and Amtrak
Population Statistics
Total Population
As of the 2020 census, the population of Palmdale was 157,161.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 79,123
- Female: 78,038
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 35.1%
- 18 to 64 years: 51.3%
- 65 years and over: 13.6%
Occupations
Major occupations in Palmdale include:
- Management, business, science, and arts: 31.2%
- Sales and office: 24.3%
- Service: 18.5%
- Production, transportation, and material moving: 15.3%
