Methadone Clinics in Marietta

Methadone Clinics in Marietta

Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Georgia Department of Community Health.

Certification Procedures

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

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medications used in treatment can:

• Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Allow people to focus on counseling and recovery
• Lower risk of overdose and transmitting infections

How Clinics Operate

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to those with opioid use disorder. Services include:

• Methadone dosing daily under supervision
• Individual and group counseling
• Drug testing
• Case management
• Referrals to services like health care and job training

The goal is to support long-term recovery and improved quality of life.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Some offer sliding scale fees based on income for those without coverage. Grants help fund low-cost and free treatment programs.

Drug Use in Marietta

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Georgia, opioid overdoses killed over 1,000 people in 2020. Marietta and Cobb County have seen significant impacts:

• Heroin overdoses increased 30% from 2019 to 2020
• Fentanyl caused over 500 deaths statewide in 2020

Prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine are among the most commonly misused substances locally.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

• The typical stay is 28 days
• 24/7 medical monitoring and counseling
• Detoxification, group, and individual therapy

Outpatient Treatment

• 1-5 visits per week for counseling and therapy
• Offered at clinics, community centers, hospitals

Treatment Level Unreported

Over 15% of those seeking treatment did not specify inpatient or outpatient based on a SAMHSA study. Cost and availability may influence decisions.

Comparison of Treatment in Marietta vs. Atlanta

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, similar to other opioid drugs. Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) provide methadone doses daily for patients to take orally under supervision.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment explain both the benefits and risks involved. When used properly, methadone allows patients to function normally and reduce illegal opioid use. However, methadone does carry risks and requires careful monitoring.

In layman’s terms, methadone is a prescription medication that replaces illegal opioid drugs and enables patients to regain control of their lives.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution follows strict federal and state regulations including:

• Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect continued drug use.
• Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a maximum 24-hour dose. More take-home doses are allowed over time for stable patients.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to monitor patient progress.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications with methadone, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.

In Georgia, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, with illegal use punishable by law.

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 when properly managed.

Evidence for Effectiveness

Multiple studies demonstrate methadone’s effectiveness for opioid addiction treatment. Benefits include:

• 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for patients in MAT programs
• 4.44 times more likely for patients to stay in treatment long-term
• Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV/HCV transmission, and unemployment

Major Drawbacks

However, methadone does carry risks:

• Potential for misuse/diversion for nonmedical opioid users
• Severe withdrawal if methadone treatment is stopped suddenly
• Possible QTc prolongation or other cardiac issues
• Respiratory depression or overdose when combined with alcohol or other medications

Comparison to Other Medications

Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use and enabling long-term recovery.

While beneficial as MAT, methadone also has risks requiring careful patient monitoring and management.

About Marietta

Marietta is located in Cobb County in the U.S. state of Georgia.

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Marietta is located in central Cobb County, approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.

Neighboring states:

• Florida
• Alabama
• Tennessee
• North Carolina
• South Carolina

Capital and Largest City

Atlanta is both the capital and largest city in Georgia.

Land Area

Marietta has a total area of 23.2 square miles.

Infrastructure

Marietta has access to three major highways: I-75, I-575, and the Franklin Gateway Connector. The city also has a public transit system called Marietta Trolleys.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Marietta is approximately 61,000 residents.

Demographics:

Gender

• Male: 47%
• Female: 53%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 19%
• 18 to 65 years: 63%
• Over 65 years: 18%

Occupations

The top occupations are education, health care, retail trade, and manufacturing.