| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside Center for Behavioral Medicine in Riverside | 5900 Brockton Avenue Riverside, CA 92506 | (951) 275-8400 |
| Riverside Comprehensive Treatment Center | 1021 W La Cadena Riverside, CA 92501 | |
| Western Clinical Health Servs (WCHS) Inland Health Services/Riverside | 1021 West La Cadena Drive Riverside, CA 92501 | (951) 784-8010 |
| Whiteside Manor Wilshire House | 2452 Wilshire Street Riverside, CA 92501 | (951) 788-9515 |
Rules and Regulations
Riverside, 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 meet standards for medication dispensing, counseling, patient rights, and more.
- Staff must undergo background checks and training.
- Regular facility inspections occur.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone helps individuals recovering from opioid addiction by:
- Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing opioid cravings
- Allowing patients to focus on counseling and behavioral therapies
- Lowering the risk of overdose
- Improving health outcomes
How Clinics Operate
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to support individuals in recovery from opioid addiction. The goal is to help patients gain stability so they can work, go to school, and engage in positive social relationships.
Insurance Coverage
Methadone treatment may be covered by:
- Medicaid
- Private insurance plans
- State-funded programs for uninsured individuals
Some clinics offer uninsured patients the ability to pay on an income-based sliding scale.
Drug Use in Riverside
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Riverside County, California:
- There were 537 opioid overdose deaths in 2020, a 33% increase from 2019 (CDPH)
- Fentanyl contributed to 78% of opioid overdose deaths in 2021 (CDPH)
- Methamphetamine is the most commonly used illicit drug after cannabis (SAMHSA)
Addiction Treatment Overview in Riverside
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months on average. It includes medical detox, therapy, counseling, and other services to treat substance abuse.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment provides services while allowing the person to live at home. It involves regularly scheduled appointments, usually 1-5 times per week for several months. Services are provided at clinics, hospitals, or private practices.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of people with substance abuse disorders in Riverside receive some form of treatment, according to national data. However, local reporting rates are unclear.
Comparison of Treatment in Riverside vs. Los Angeles
| Categories | Riverside | Los Angeles |
| Treatment Facilities | 134 | 367 |
| Inpatient Beds | 1,267 | 3,896 |
| Cost of Treatment | $10,000-$30,000 | $15,000-$35,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It activates opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is taken orally once daily at opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
- Mechanism as medication-assisted treatment: Methadone is a full opioid agonist that activates receptors targeted by opioids of misuse. This prevents withdrawal and reduces cravings.
- OTP principle: Methadone is only provided through certified OTPs with regular urine testing and counseling. Take-home doses are limited until patients demonstrate stability.
Societal Perspectives on Methadone Treatment
Methadone maintenance is controversial, with stigma around substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows MAT with methadone is an evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction. When taken as prescribed, methadone stabilizes patients, allowing them to function normally.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight randomized tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unsanctioned 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. After demonstrating progress, take-home doses can gradually increase up to 30 days maximum.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully cross-reference opioid dosage history when starting methadone, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.
Riverside County Drug Classifications
Opioids, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and cannabis are classified under Schedule I-V drug categories in California.
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 for methadone patients
- Patients on methadone maintenance are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
- Retention in methadone treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV transmission, and increases employment
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse/diversion if not taken as prescribed
- Severe withdrawal symptoms if methadone is stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues in some patients
- Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with other CNS depressants
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use.
Methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring careful management.
About Riverside
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Riverside is located in Riverside County in the U.S. state of California. It borders the following states:
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in California is Sacramento.
Land Area
The land area of Riverside is 81.4 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total population
The total population of Riverside is 306,779 (as of 2016).
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49.3%
- Female: 50.7%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 25.8%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.3%
- 65 years and over: 15.0%
Occupations
The top occupations in Riverside are:
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 34.2%
- Sales and office occupations: 25.0%
- Service occupations: 18.8%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 14.8%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 7.3%
