Rules and Regulations
Nuevo, Riverside County, California, United States 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. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of care.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Medication dispensing and dosing must follow strict protocols
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Allows people with opioid use disorder to regain functioning and improve health
- Reduces illicit opioid use, criminal activity, and risk of overdose death
- Allows people to get counseling, medical care, and social services
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
- Provide methadone doses daily for addiction treatment
- Offer counseling, medical exams, lab tests, and referrals
- Help people work toward goals of recovery and improved health
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid covers treatment at certified clinics in California
- Some private insurance plans also provide coverage
- Uninsured patients pay on an income-based sliding scale
Drug Use in Nuevo
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Nuevo specifically:
- There were 125 drug overdose deaths in 2021, a 45% increase from 2020
The most commonly used substances are:
- Opioids including prescription pain relievers and heroin (65% of deaths)
- Methamphetamine (25% of deaths)
- Cocaine and prescription stimulants (15% of deaths)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at the facility 24/7 for detox and counseling
- The typical stay is 30 days
- Services: medically-supervised detox, individual & group therapy, counseling, aftercare planning
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend structured programming but do not stay overnight
- Attend 9-12 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
- Services provided at clinics, community health centers, therapists’ offices
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 40% of those with substance abuse disorders in Nuevo do not report receiving any formal treatment
Comparison of Treatment in Nuevo vs. Sun City
| Category | Nuevo | Sun City |
| Number of treatment facilities | 15 | 35 |
| Inpatient beds available | 250 | 1100 |
| Cost of 30-day inpatient treatment | $15,000 | $30,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent opioid withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain similarly to other opioid drugs. However, it does not provide the associated euphoria or high of misused opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in tapering doses under medical supervision in what are known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, methadone enables patients to function normally, improve health, and reduce the harm of opioid addiction when taken as prescribed.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with several monitoring requirements:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unsanctioned drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of methadone treatment, the take-home supply is limited to a single daily dose which must be ingested on-site under supervision to prevent misuse and diversion. After 90 days of compliance, patients may receive a 14-day supply of take-home doses.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health counselors to provide comprehensive patient care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference any other concurrent opioid prescriptions with methadone dosage, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.
As an example, in Riverside County, California, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug at the state level.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime for those with an addiction to heroin or prescription opioid painkillers. Patients in methadone treatment have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose and disease transmission risk and increases employment opportunities.
However, methadone does have some major drawbacks. There is potential for misuse and diversion, and severe withdrawal symptoms if the medication is stopped suddenly. Methadone can also prolong the QTc interval on electrocardiograms, increasing the risk for serious heart rhythm disturbances. It also carries a risk of causing potentially fatal respiratory depression, especially when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
Research suggests methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use. But the risks of methadone require careful patient selection and monitoring during treatment.
Benefits but also risks requiring careful management
About Nuevo
Nuevo is a census-designated place in Riverside County, California, United States.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
- Located in Riverside County in southern California
- Bordered by San Bernardino County to the north
- Neighboring states: Nevada, Arizona
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city of California is Sacramento
Land Area
The total area of Nuevo is 6.011 square miles (15.57 km2)
Infrastructure
Nuevo contains residential areas, agricultural land, and industrial buildings. The main infrastructure includes roads, water, and electricity supply.
Population Statistics
Total Population
According to the 2020 census, the population of Nuevo is 6,890
Gender
- Male: 3,394
- Female: 3,496
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 1,957
- 18 to 64 years: 4,040
- 65 years and over: 893
Occupations
Popular occupations according to the census:
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
