| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Miramar Laguna Beach | 339 Jasmine Street Laguna Beach, CA 92651 | (949) 497-9189 |
| Pacific Coast Recovery Center | 31872 Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 | (949) 499-1311 |
Rules and Regulations
Laguna Beach, like all cities in California, adheres to strict state and federal regulations regarding methadone clinics and medication-assisted treatment programs. These regulations aim to ensure safe, effective, and ethical treatment practices.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular facility inspections are conducted
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and buprenorphine help opioid-addicted individuals stabilize their lives by relieving withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings
Medication-assisted treatment is proven to:
- Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
- Lower transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis
- Increase social functioning and retention in treatment
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication, counseling, and other services to help clients recover from opioid addiction. Treatment plans are individualized to meet each patient’s needs. The ultimate purpose is to help people achieve lasting recovery and prevent overdose deaths.
Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans and Medi-Cal (Medicaid) cover methadone treatment. Some clinics also offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without insurance.
Drug Use in Laguna Beach
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In California, opioid overdose deaths have increased by over 50% since 2010. Laguna Beach and Orange County have not been spared from this crisis.
Statistics on Drug Use and Overdoses
- In 2020, there were over 5,800 overdose deaths in California, a 33% increase from 2019. Opioids were involved in over 80% of these deaths.
- Orange County reported over 600 opioid overdose deaths in 2021. The drugs involved included prescription medications, heroin, and illicit fentanyl.
- Local data shows that alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are commonly used and abused in the Laguna Beach area.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervision and intensive care. Typical stays range from 28-90 days. Services include medically-managed detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, nutritional planning, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer similar services but allow clients to live at home. Clients attend regular sessions 3-5 days a week for several hours a day. Services are provided at clinics, community health centers, and private practices.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of people with substance abuse disorders in Laguna Beach receive some form of treatment not reported to state monitoring systems. This includes those who pay for private care out-of-pocket.
Comparison of Treatment Options
| City | Laguna Beach | Los Angeles |
| Treatment Facilities | 15 | 326 |
| Inpatient Beds | 120 | 3,056 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000-30,000 | $10,000-25,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Methadone activates opioid receptors providing stability and preventing withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. This allows patients to focus on recovery without constantly seeking drugs. Methadone is only provided through monitored OTPs requiring counseling under federal and state regulations. The goal is a return to functionality without euphoria, cravings, or withdrawal.
Societal views on methadone are mixed. Some see it as trading one addiction for another. However, research shows methadone restores functioning better than abstinence-only models for many patients. An open mind is important – recovery is not one-size-fits-all.
Methadone tricks the brain into thinking it’s still getting the abused opioid. This stops cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Taken properly as prescribed, it allows the brain and body stabilize so patients can work towards recovery and rebuild their lives.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure appropriate use and no illicit drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a 24-hour dose. Additional take-home doses are permitted for patients meeting treatment goals.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs have an interprofessional team of doctors, nurses, counselors and social workers monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians review Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data to carefully manage methadone dosage, verify other medications a patient takes, and watch for potentially dangerous drug interactions.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show it reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when patients are retained in treatment.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Research shows participation in a methadone program can lead to:
- 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 if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing opioid use.
Methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring careful management under monitoring guidelines.
About Laguna Beach
Location, County & List of Neighbouring States
Laguna Beach is located in Orange County in the U.S. state of California. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Neighboring states include Oregon to the north, Nevada to the northeast, and Arizona to the east.
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in California is Sacramento.
Land Area
Laguna Beach has a total area of about 10 square miles.
Infrastructure
Laguna Beach has a public bus system and is accessible from surrounding cities via the Pacific Coast Highway. The city has over 30 public beaches and coves. Main industries include tourism, art galleries, retail, restaurants and hospitality.
Population Statistics
The population of Laguna Beach is around 23,000 residents.
Demographics
Gender
There is a slightly higher percentage of females (52%) compared to males (48%).
Age brackets
- Under 18 years: 15%
- 18 to 64 years: 69%
- 65 years and over: 16%
Occupations
Common occupations include arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services (28%), educational services and healthcare (15%), finance and professional services (13%).
