Atlanta Methadone Clinics & Treatment Centers Locator Near Me in Atlanta City, GA

Name rehabs Address Phone
Peachford Behavioral Health Systems2151 Peachford Road Atlanta, GA 30338(770) 455-3200

Rules and Regulations

Atlanta adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Certification Procedures

  • Methadone clinics must register with SAMHSA and obtain certification from the DEA
  • Staff must undergo background checks and extensive training on methadone treatment protocols
  • Facilities must meet security and storage standards for controlled substances

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment with methadone helps individuals with opioid use disorder by:

  • Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
  • Reducing opioid cravings
  • Allowing patients to focus on counseling and behavioral therapies

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The goal is to help patients achieve sobriety and become productive members of society.

Insurance Coverage

Many private insurance plans and Medicaid cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without coverage.

Drug Use in Atlanta, DeKalb

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Georgia:

  • There were over 1,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016
  • Over 850 babies were born with neonatal abstinence syndrome in 2017

The most commonly used substances in Atlanta and DeKalb County are:

  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Prescription opioids

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending counseling and support groups 1-5 times per week for several months. Services are provided at clinics, hospitals, or community centers.

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 Atlanta vs. Nashville

City Treatment Facilities Inpatient Beds Cost of Treatment
Atlanta Over 300 ~2,000 beds $15,000+ for 30 days
Nashville Over 275 ~1,800 beds $10,000+ for 30 days

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 produce the same level of euphoria or sedation, allowing those in treatment to function more normally. Methadone is taken orally once daily in supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs).

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps stabilize individuals and reduce illegal opioid use and associated crime, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when properly regulated.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is strictly monitored with several regulations:

  • Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year to ensure compliance and prevent diversion.
  • Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, methadone is only dispensed as a single, daily dose. Over time, additional take-home doses may be allowed for stable patients.
  • Interprofessional monitoring: OTPs should have teams of doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers managing treatment.
  • Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state PDMP data to coordinate care and prevent dangerous drug interactions.

Methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance in Georgia and the U.S. requiring special licensing for distribution.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an extremely effective MAT option.

Evidence for effectiveness:

  • 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for patients in methadone treatment
  • 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment long-term compared to non-medication treatments
  • Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk and disease transmission while improving employment rates

Major Drawbacks

  • Potential for misuse/diversion due to its opioid activity
  • Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
  • Risk of QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
  • Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with other substances

Comparison: Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective at reducing illicit opioid use.

In conclusion, methadone is beneficial but also carries risks requiring careful management.

About Atlanta

Location, county & list of neighbouring states

Atlanta is located in north central Georgia in the Piedmont region, part of the Appalachian Mountains. It lies in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. Neighbouring states include:

Capital and largest city

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the state of Georgia.

Land area

The land area of Atlanta is 134.0 square miles.

Infrastructure

Atlanta contains one of the world’s busiest airports, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The city is also home to a comprehensive network of freeways and rail systems, including MARTA.

Population Statistics

Total population

The Atlanta metropolitan area has a population of over 5.8 million as of 2018.

Demographics

Gender

  • Male: 49%
  • Female: 51%

Age brackets

  • Under 18 years: 22.4%
  • 18 to 65 years: 65.1%
  • Over 65 years: 12.5%

Occupations

Atlanta residents are employed in diverse occupations, with many working in business, financial, healthcare, education and hospitality sectors. The city serves as a major transportation and economic hub.