| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| BHG Fort Collins Treatment Center | 2114 Midpoint Dr Suite 4 Fort Collins, CO 80525 | |
| Mountain Crest Poudre Valley Health Systems | 4601 Corbett Drive Fort Collins, CO 80528 | (970) 207-4800 |
Rules and Regulations
Fort Collins and Larimer County adhere to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Certification Procedures
All methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA’s Division of Pharmacologic Therapies and accredited by an independent accreditation body. Clinics must adhere to strict protocols for patient eligibility, treatment planning, counseling services, medication dispensing, and more. Counselors must be licensed and specially trained.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Research shows MAT with methadone helps individuals with opioid use disorder by:
- Reducing illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
- Improving retention in treatment
- Reducing risk of HIV and hepatitis C transmission
- Allowing patients to function more normally and hold jobs
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing and comprehensive counseling and support services. Their purpose is to help individuals recover, manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and work toward sobriety and healthier lifestyles.
Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans and Medicaid cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for uninsured patients.
Drug Use in Fort Collins
Drug Use in Fort Collins, United States
Opioid Crisis Declared Public Health Emergency:
- In 2017, Colorado’s governor declared a public health emergency due to the opioid crisis.
- From 2013-2019, there were 4,062 drug overdose deaths in Colorado involving opioids. This is a 239% increase from 1999-2001.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- Methamphetamine (508 deaths)
- Fentanyl (636 deaths)
- Heroin (231 deaths)
- Cocaine (383 deaths)
- Prescription opioids (257 deaths)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment involves scheduled services 3-5 days a week for 2-4 hours a day. It includes counseling, group therapy, medication management and recovery support services.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 38% of people receiving addiction treatment in Colorado did not report their treatment level. This suggests gaps in data collection.
Comparison of Treatment in Fort Collins vs. Denver
| Category | Fort Collins, CO | Denver, CO |
| Number of Treatment Facilities | 15 | 50+ |
| Inpatient Beds Available | 100 | 500+ |
| Approximate Cost of Treatment | $10,000 per month | $15,000 per month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to treat opioid use disorder. It works by activating opioid receptors in the brain, preventing cravings and withdrawal symptoms so patients can focus on recovery without being impaired by the medication.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid, meaning it only needs to be taken once daily to maintain therapeutic effects. This allows patients to rebuild stability in their lives while avoiding the rollercoaster of heroin highs and lows. OTPs provide counseling and support services alongside methadone dosing. The ultimate goals are for patients to achieve sobriety and become productive members of society.
While methadone can be a lifesaving treatment, it is controversial, as some view replacing one opioid with another as ineffective or unethical. However, research shows MAT with methadone or buprenorphine is the gold standard for treating opioid addiction. These programs remain politically contentious but have strong public health benefits in reducing overdoses, disease transmission, and associated societal costs if properly implemented.
Methadone is an opioid drug that tricks the brain into thinking it’s still getting the problem opioid. This stops cravings and withdrawal sickness so people can work on getting their lives together. They have to visit the methadone clinic every day for medicine and counseling. Over time, they may earn take-home doses as they show progress in staying off illegal drugs.
Methadone Distribution
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure they are not still taking illegal opioids or other dangerous substances.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply that patients dose at home. As patients demonstrate sobriety, they can earn more take-home doses, but monitoring continues.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health counselors closely managing each patient’s progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to cross-reference other opioid dosages carefully, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk increases when combined with other substances.
In Colorado, methadone is a Schedule II controlled medication available only through certified OTPs. Larimer County has 23 OTP clinics dispensing methadone under medical supervision.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when treatment is continued for an adequate duration under proper supervision.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Research shows that methadone maintenance treatment:
- Results in 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- Makes patients 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV/HCV transmission rates, and unemployment while increasing employment
Major Drawbacks
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion of medication
- Severe withdrawal if treatment is stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with alcohol or other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use.
While not without risks requiring careful oversight, methadone maintenance is a scientifically validated treatment for opioid addiction with demonstrated societal benefits.
About Fort Collins
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Fort Collins is located in Larimer County in northern Colorado, United States. It borders Wyoming to the north and the following states:
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in Colorado is Denver.
Land Area
The land area of Fort Collins is approximately 60 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The estimated population of Fort Collins is 167,830 as of 2019.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 51%
- Female: 49%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 19%
- 18 to 24 years: 25%
- 25 to 44 years: 24%
- 45 to 64 years: 21%
- 65 years and over: 11%
Occupations
The top occupations in Fort Collins are:
- Management, business, science and arts: 51%
- Sales and office: 23%
- Service: 15%
- Production, transportation, material moving: 7%
- Natural resources, construction, maintenance: 4%
