| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Brand New Start Methadone / Suboxone Treatment Centers Cumming | 514 West Maple Street Suite 1206 Cumming, GA 30040 |
Rules and Regulations
Cumming adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by agencies like the DEA and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Clinics must be certified and accredited.
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must register with SAMHSA and obtain certification from the DEA to dispense methadone for opioid addiction treatment. Staff must complete specific training programs. Clinics are subject to regular auditing and inspections.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other MAT medications can help people in recovery reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing them to focus on counseling and behavioral therapies to address addiction. MAT is an evidence-based treatment protocol.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and comprehensive treatment plans including counseling and case management. The purpose is to facilitate recovery from opioid use disorders. Regular drug testing ensures accountability.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurers cover methadone treatment. Grants assist uninsured patients. Sliding-scale fees or free treatment may be available in some cases depending on clinic funding and patient need.
Free Clinics
Some nonprofit clinics provide free methadone treatment funded by grants and donations for uninsured, low-income patients. Eligibility requirements vary by clinic.
Specific coverage details for methadone treatment, including prior authorization requirements, copays, limits, etc. can vary widely between Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers in Georgia and require further research.
Drug Use in Cumming
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Georgia, opioid overdoses claimed the lives of over 1,000 residents in 2020. The most commonly abused substances in Forsyth County and statewide are:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prescription opioids
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months on average. Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication management, aftercare planning, and more.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending structured programming 3-5 days a week for 2-4 hours a day. Services are similar to inpatient and focus on group counseling, relapse prevention, and more.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-15% of all substance abuse treatment in Georgia takes place in private practice settings where reporting is not required. Services are typically counseling therapy or medication management.
Comparison of Treatment Availability
| City | Number of Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Cumming | 3 | 24 | $15,000/month |
| Atlanta | 12 | 200 | $20,000/month |
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 is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, methadone enables patients to function normally, improve health, reduce criminal behavior, and hold jobs. When taken as prescribed, it is safe and non-sedating.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly monitored and regulated:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random urine drug tests in the first year to detect any unsanctioned drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a single 24-hour dose. After 90 days of compliance, patients can earn a maximum one-month supply.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs utilize an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health counselors to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state PDMP data to carefully cross-reference methadone and other opioid dosages due to methadone’s narrow therapeutic window.
As an example, Georgia classifies methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance requiring proper licensing and oversight for distribution.
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. Patients had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose and disease transmission risks and increases employment.
However, methadone does carry risks requiring careful management. Potential drawbacks include misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, possible QTc prolongation or cardiac issues, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other substances.
Methadone is equally as effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use. In conclusion, methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks that necessitate close oversight.
About Cumming
Cumming is a city located in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Cumming is located around 40 miles north of Atlanta. It is situated in Forsyth County in North Georgia. The neighboring states to Georgia are:
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in Georgia is Atlanta.
Land Area
The land area of Cumming is around 12.9 square miles.
Infrastructure
Cumming has access to major highways and railways that connect it to the rest of Georgia and neighboring states. Some of the key infrastructures include:
- State Route 400
- State Route 20
- Sawnee Mountain Parkway
Population Statistics
Total Population
As of 2021, the total population of Cumming was around 6,668 people.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 24%
- 18 to 65 years: 62%
- Over 65 years: 14%
Occupations
The major occupations in Cumming include:
- Management, business, science, and arts: 31%
- Sales and office: 27%
- Service: 19%
- Production, transportation, material moving: 14%
- Natural resources, construction, maintenance: 9%
