| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder Clinic Inc | 1317 Spruce Street Boulder, CO 80302 | (303) 245-0123 |
| Boulder County Public Health | 3470 Broadway Boulder, CO 80304 | (303) 441-1275 |
| Denver Recovery Group | 5330 Manhattan Circle Unit H Boulder, CO 80303 | |
| The Boulder Clinic | 1317 Spruce Street Boulder, CO 80302 |
Rules and Regulations
Boulder, Colorado adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Colorado Department of Human Services.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular inspections are conducted to ensure compliance
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Methadone and other medications relieve withdrawal and cravings
- Allows people to function normally and focus on recovery
- Significantly reduces the risk of overdose and transmitting infections
- Provides a pathway to sobriety and better health
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to people recovering from opioid addiction. Patients receive counseling and must follow program rules to reduce diversion risks. The goal is to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings so people can work on long-term recovery.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment
- Most private health plans cover treatment under federal parity laws
- Grants help fund non-profit clinics providing free or low-cost treatment based on patient income
Drug Use in Boulder
Boulder, Colorado has faced an escalating opioid crisis, prompting government officials to declare a public health emergency. Key statistics on drug abuse and mortality rates include:
- Drug overdose deaths increased by 40% from 2019-2021
- Fentanyl involved in over 75% of overdoses in 2022
- Marijuana most widely used illicit substance
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervised care including medical detoxification, individual and group therapy, medication management, and discharge planning. Stays range from 30-90 days depending on medical need.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer similar services to inpatient but participants reside outside the treatment facility. Sessions occur 1-5 days per week for 2 or more hours per day over the course of 6-12 weeks.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 15-25% of those struggling with addiction in Boulder do not report their treatment status or level. Stigma and lack of resources contribute to this gap.
Comparison of Treatment in Boulder vs. Denver
| Category | Boulder | Denver |
| Treatment Facilities | 15 | 35 |
| Inpatient Beds | 250 | 1100 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000/month | $25,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs as part of opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing patients to focus on recovery.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it does help treat addiction, some view it as merely replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows methadone helps patients stay in treatment and reduce opioid use when properly managed.
Methadone Distribution
OTP clinics carefully monitor and regulate methadone treatment with requirements including:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight urine tests in the first year to ensure appropriate use and no illicit opioid use.
- Take-home doses: For the first 14 days, take-home methadone is limited to a one-day supply. After 90 days of compliant treatment, take-homes can be extended to a two-week supply if deemed appropriate by the clinic.
- Interprofessional monitoring: OTP clinics have teams including doctors, nurses, counselors and social workers to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription data to ensure careful methadone dosage titration, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.
In Boulder, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, available only through OTP clinics due to diversion, misuse, and overdose risks.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT option that:
- Reduces opioid use (33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests)
- Improves treatment retention (4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment)
- Lowers overdose and disease transmission risks
- Increases employment opportunities
However, methadone does carry risks if not properly managed including:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing opioid use in MAT. However, careful management of treatment is crucial to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
About Boulder
Location, County & Neighboring States
Boulder is located in Boulder County in the state of Colorado. Colorado borders New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah.
Capital and Largest City
Denver is both the capital and largest city in Colorado.
Land Area
Boulder has a total area of 25.7 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
Boulder has a population of 108,250 people as of 2021.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 54,135
- Female: 54,115
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 12.6%
- 18 to 24 years: 29.3%
- 25 to 44 years: 32.8%
- 45 to 64 years: 18.5%
- 65 years and over: 6.9%
Occupations
- Education, health care, and social assistance: 23.3%
- Professional, scientific, management, administrative, waste management: 22.4%
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services industry: 11.7%
