| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Treatment Centers | 37 Kiker Street Ellijay, GA 30540 |
Gilmer adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Typical certification procedures cover aspects such as licensing, regular compliance inspections, personnel qualifications, dispensing protocols, inventory controls, security standards, and patient limits.
Clinics provide medication-assisted treatment using methadone, an opioid agonist medication that reduces cravings and blocks euphoric effects of other opioids. This allows people struggling with opioid addiction to regain stability and function while managing their recovery. Clinics dispense daily methadone doses under medical supervision along with counseling.
Insurance Coverage
Gilmer has limited grant-funded methadone clinics offering free or affordable treatment based on financial hardship and lack of health insurance. More typical coverage options include:
- Medicaid: Georgia Medicaid programs cover treatment costs, counseling, care coordination, and tests for eligible members subject to restrictions.
- Private Insurance: Some plans may cover portions subjected to deductibles, copays, prior authorization, exclusions based on the plan details. Coverage varies significantly.
Drug Use in Gilmer
Georgia declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017. While overdose deaths have declined slightly lately, methamphetamine poses growing concerns in Gilmer as it emerges in more cases. Prescription opioids and alcohol are also major issues.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities offer 24/7 supervised addiction care typically for 30-90 days. Services include counseling, therapy, case management, medical care, job training, and discharge planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient provides therapy and support services for several hours at a time while living at home. Frequency starts higher then tapers down over time for continuing care needs.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 30-50% battling addiction access some form of treatment not reflected in Gilmer data through private doctors, community health centers, peer support groups, etc.
Comparison of Treatment in Gilmer vs. Neighboring Major City
| Category | Ellijay, GA | Dalton, GA |
| Treatment Facilities | 5 | 15 |
| Inpatient Beds | 50 | 150 |
| Cost of Treatment | $5,000/month | $6,500/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) since 1947. As part of certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs), it activates receptors enough to prevent withdrawals and reduce cravings without inducing a strong euphoric high. Views remain mixed on methadone treatment, though it serves to medically stabilize recovery by substituting controlled dosing for risky illicit opioid use. Simply put, methadone provides therapeutic opioid effects to aid addiction treatment efforts.
Methadone Distribution
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities closely governs methadone distribution operations including:
- Requiring at least 8 patient urine tests in the first year of treatment.
- Limiting initial take-home methadone supplies to 24 hours.
- Mandating OTPs utilize interprofessional teams overseeing dosing and patient care decisions.
- Having clinicians cross-check the Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to inform proper methadone dosage adjustments considering its narrow therapeutic index.
Georgia categorizes methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating balance of sanctioned medical use against potential for abuse.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Extensive evidence confirms methadone successfully reduces opioid misuse based on 33% fewer positive drug tests, boosts retention over 4 times higher, and mitigates overdose, HIV, hepatitis C, and criminal risks by stabilizing patients in care. However, risks include diversion potential due to its controlled status, stopping abruptly causes severe withdrawal sickness, mixing sedatives increases overdose dangers, while cardiac issues rarely occur. Research deems methadone equally effective as buprenorphine for decreasing illicit opioid use when properly managed. In summary, methadone provides benefits yet requires vigilant oversight given associated risks.
About Gilmer
Gilmer County is located in north central Georgia, bordered by Fannin, Dawson, Pickens, Gordon, and Murray counties. Its county seat and largest city is Ellijay. Gilmer County spans 431 square miles. Major infrastructure includes Highways 515, 52, and 282 along with the Gilmer County Airport.
Population Statistics
The estimated total population of Gilmer County equals around 31,000 residents as of recent estimates.
Demographics indicate:
Gender: 50% female, 50% male
Age: 81% over 18 years old
- 19% under 18
- 24% over age 65
Occupations:
- 29% management, business, science & arts
- 21% sales and office administration
- 14% service industry
- 12% production, transportation
- 10% maintenance, construction
- 8% education, healthcare
- 6% farming, fishing, forestry
