Rules and Regulations
Elk Grove adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These regulations cover certification, operating procedures, security, dispensing methadone, and more.
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA’s Division of Pharmacologic Therapies and accredited by an independent accreditation body. Staff must complete specialized training programs. Clinics must meet strict standards for security, counseling, patient rights, etc.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medication-assisted treatment has been shown to be effective in treating opioid addiction. Benefits include reducing withdrawal and cravings, allowing people to function normally and hold jobs, reducing the risk of overdose or infectious disease, and providing a pathway to long-term recovery.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling/support services. Their purpose is to use medication and behavioral therapies to treat opioid addiction and support recovery. Patients must visit clinics daily.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid and some private insurance plans cover methadone treatment. Some clinics operate on a sliding fee scale for low-income patients. Grants help fund low-cost and free treatment.
Free Clinics
Some nonprofit clinics provide free methadone-assisted treatment funded by grants and public health programs. Eligibility varies based on income, insurance status, etc.
Medicaid covers methadone treatment in California. Private plans required to cover mental health/substance abuse may cover it but there may be copay or limitations. Medicare does not cover methadone clinics.
Drug Use in Elk Grove
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 detected substances in overdose deaths in the state are:
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug rehab involves staying at a treatment facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. Services offered include medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication management, nutritional therapy, relapse prevention planning, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending treatment sessions 1-5 times per week for several hours a day. Services are similar to inpatient but less intensive.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of patients do not report their treatment level. Reasons may include privacy concerns or involvement in unofficial support groups.
Comparison of Treatment in Elk Grove vs. Sacramento
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Elk Grove | 15 | 200 | $10,000-20,000 |
| Sacramento | 30 | 800 | $5,000-15,000 |
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 does help individuals with opioid addiction avoid painful withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of overdose or disease transmission, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows that with proper monitoring, methadone allows patients to function normally, pursue recovery goals, and reduce involvement in criminal activity associated with drug-seeking behavior.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with monitoring requirements:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random urine drug tests in the first year to ensure compliance and detect any continued illicit drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, methadone doses must be consumed on-site at the clinic. Over time and with demonstrated progress, take-home doses can be permitted but with restricted supply such as a 1-week maximum.
- Monitoring: OTPs utilize an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, and social workers to coordinate care and monitoring.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and dosages, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.
As an example, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance in California, indicating accepted medical use but also potential for abuse or dependence with restrictions.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use as measured by drug tests, disease transmission through injection drug use, and related criminal behavior. Specifically, methadone patients had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication treatment, which reduces overdose risk and increases employment opportunities.
However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation raising cardiac issues, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other sedatives. In comparison to other MAT options, methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing self-reported opioid use based on clinical trials.
In conclusion, methadone offers clear benefits but also risks requiring careful patient monitoring and management.
About Elk Grove
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Elk Grove is located in southern Sacramento County, California. Sacramento County borders Yolo County to the west, Placer County to the north, El Dorado County to the east, and San Joaquin County to the south.
Capital and Largest City
Sacramento is both the capital and largest city in Sacramento County.
Land Area
Elk Grove has a total land area of about 112 square miles.
Infrastructure
- Public transportation is provided by Elk Grove Transit
- Major highways include Interstate 5 and California State Route 99
Population Statistics
Total Population
As of 2019, the population of Elk Grove was estimated at 174,775 people.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 26.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.7%
- 65 years and over: 13.9%
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 38.8%
- Sales and office occupations: 27.2%
- Service occupations: 16.4%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 11.3%
