Methadone Clinics in Sacramento

Rules and Regulations

Sacramento 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 be certified by SAMHSA
• Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
• Regular facility inspections are conducted

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and buprenorphine treatment have been shown to:

• Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Lower risk of overdose
• Allow people to focus on their health and participation in society

How Clinics Operate

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to those with opioid use disorder. Patients receive daily doses of methadone or buprenorphine to prevent withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings without inducing a high. Counseling is also offered to support recovery. The ultimate purpose is to mitigate the effects of addiction and allow people to lead functional lives.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept various insurance plans that cover methadone treatment services. Options include:

Free Clinics

Some non-profit clinics offer free or low-cost treatment based on patient income eligibility.

Drug Use in Sacramento

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. Key statistics for the Sacramento area include:

In 2020, there were 550 drug overdose deaths in Sacramento County.

The most commonly used substances in Sacramento are:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Prescription opioids

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for substance abuse treatment. Typical services include:

• Medically-supervised detox
• Individual and group counseling
• Aftercare planning

Typical stays range from 28-90 days.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending regular treatment sessions. This usually involves:

• 1-2 treatment sessions per week
• Sessions held at clinics, hospitals, or community centers

Treatment Level Unreported

Exact numbers on all addiction treatments are unavailable. However, experts estimate that 90% of people needing treatment do not receive it.

Comparison of Treatment in Sacramento vs. Rosemont

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 as an agonist, preventing painful withdrawal symptoms without providing a strong high. This allows people dependent on short-acting opioids like heroin to stabilize, stop using illegally, and focus on recovery. Methadone is only provided through monitored OTPs to reduce misuse risks. Patients take one oral dose daily and are monitored to ensure safety and compliance.

Society has mixed opinions on methadone treatment. Supporters see it as an evidence-based treatment improving lives. Critics view it as merely replacing one addiction with another or enabling addiction. However, studies show methadone helps patients reduce illegal opioid use, disease transmission, and criminal activity. Retention in treatment is associated with lowered mortality risk. Many patients utilize methadone temporarily to stabilize before tapering off entirely.

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 detect continued illegal drug use.
• Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply. After 90 days of compliance, patients can earn one take-home dose per week, eventually earning up to 30 take-home doses for stable patients.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health staff monitoring patient progress.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and dosages, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic index.

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 – patients 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
• Retention in treatment reduces overdose mortality risk by 50% and increases employment by 10%

Major Drawbacks

• Potential for misuse/diversion if not properly monitored
• Severe withdrawal symptoms if treatment stopped suddenly
• Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac arrhythmia issues
• Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with alcohol or other substances

Comparison to Other Medications

Equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing illicit opioid use and retaining patients in treatment

Methadone is very effective but also has risks requiring careful monitoring and management.

About Sacramento

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Sacramento is the capital and largest city in Sacramento County, California, United States. Sacramento County borders the following states:

• Nevada
• Oregon

Sacramento is located in Northern California near the confluence of the Sacramento River and American River.

Capital and Largest City

As the capital of California and seat of the California State Legislature, Sacramento is an important center of politics, culture, and the economy in California and the western United States. With a population of 501,901 as of 2020, it is also the largest city in Sacramento County.

Land Area

Sacramento covers approximately 99.2 square miles of land area.

Infrastructure

Sacramento has an international airport, highways, light rail, and bike trails connecting downtown to suburbs. Water supply is from the American and Sacramento Rivers supported by aqueducts, reservoirs, and treatment plants.

Population Statistics

Total Population

As of 2020, the population of Sacramento was estimated to be 501,901.

Demographics

Gender

• Male: 50.1%
• Female: 49.9%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 21.2%
• 18 to 64 years: 63.3%
• 65 years and over: 15.5%

Occupations

Top occupations in Sacramento include:

• Office and administrative support
• Sales
• Management
• Business and financial
• Education, training, library
• Transportation
• Healthcare practitioners