Methadone Clinics in Huntington Beach

Name rehabsAddressPhone
Seacliff Recovery Center225 7th Street Suite 2 Huntington Beach, CA 92648(714) 960-0078

Rules and Regulations

Huntington Beach, Orange County, California, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics as 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.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medications help stabilize individuals in recovery.

Medication-assisted treatment is shown to:

  • Reduce illicit opioid use
  • Decrease the risk of overdose
  • Lower transmission rates of infectious diseases

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those recovering from opioid addiction. Treatment plans, counseling, drug testing, and dose monitoring occur onsite at clinics to support individuals in recovery.

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance plans cover methadone treatment:

Free Clinics

Some clinics offer treatment free of charge to those without insurance.

Public and Private Insurance Coverage Details

Coverage varies. Public insurance like Medi-Cal and Medicaid cover treatment. Private insurers often cover treatment but may require higher co-pays or deductibles. Contact your insurance provider for specific coverage details for methadone treatment.

Drug Use in Huntington Beach

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In California, drug overdoses claimed 4,868 lives in 2020 alone. The most commonly used substances in Orange County are:

  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Prescription opioids
  • Heroin
  • Methamphetamine

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a medical facility while undergoing intensive substance abuse therapy. The average length of stay is 30 days. Services offered include medical detoxification, individual and group counseling, educational classes, relapse prevention planning, and aftercare planning for transitioning back into the community.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides substance abuse therapy sessions periodically, ranging from once a week to daily sessions. Patients live at home while commuting for services. Outpatient care teaches coping strategies for maintaining sobriety in real-world environments.

Treatment Level Unreported

Many individuals undergo unofficial, unreported therapy for substance abuse. Support groups provide peer counseling, though data is not formally tracked.

Comparison of Treatment in Huntington Beach vs. Los Angeles

CityTreatment FacilitiesInpatient BedsCost of Treatment
Huntington Beach15200$10,000 per month
Los Angeles951,500$15,000 per month

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. It binds to opioid receptors, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is typically taken orally once daily and dispensed at opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Treatment aims to relieve withdrawal symptoms, reduce or eliminate opioid use, and allow patients to focus on overall health and psychosocial issues underlying their addiction.

There is a stigma surrounding methadone treatment. Some view it as merely substituting one addiction for another. However, research shows methadone helps patients lead more stable lives, hold jobs, and reduce disease transmission when properly managed under medical supervision. Though not a cure, it is an evidence-based treatment for a chronic medical disorder. With counseling and support, many patients significantly improve their health and social functioning.

Methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid. This stops withdrawal symptoms. A proper dose blocks the euphoric effects of other opioids. People do not get a “high” from the methadone so daily function is not impaired. Healthcare providers monitor treatment to make sure the dose is safe and appropriate for each patient. Strict program rules prevent misuse and diversion of the medication.

Methadone Distribution

  • Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment. This checks for the use of non-prescribed opioids and ensures methadone doses are proper.
  • Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply. Supervised daily dosing prevents misuse and diversion in early treatment. Take home doses increase at discretion of the provider if patients meet certain criteria to demonstrate stability and responsible handling of the medication per state and federal regulations.
  • Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, and support staff overseeing treatment progress and coordinating care needs of patients.
  • Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference opioid titration dosage and monitor responses. Methadone has a narrow therapeutic index so doses must be adjusted carefully to avoid adverse effects.

Huntington Beach, Orange County, California, United States state drug classifications:

  • Cannabis legal for medical use and decriminalized for recreational use
  • Prescription opioids are tightly regulated and monitored

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, 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

Major Drawbacks

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

Comparison to Other Medications

Equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use

Benefits but also risks requiring careful management

About Huntington Beach

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Huntington Beach is located in Orange County on the coast of California. California shares borders with Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, the Pacific Ocean, and Mexico.

Capital and Largest City

Sacramento is the capital of California, while Los Angeles is the largest city in the state.

Land Area

Huntington Beach has an area of 27.2 square miles.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Huntington Beach is 200,541 as of 2019.

Demographics:

Gender

  • Male: 49.7%
  • Female: 50.3%

Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 20.4%
  • 18 to 64 years: 62.8%
  • 65 years and over: 16.8%

Occupations

The top occupations in Huntington Beach are:

  • Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 39.3%
  • Sales and office occupations: 25.6%
  • Service occupations: 17.2%
  • Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 11.3%
  • Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 6.7%