| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Toxicology Associates of North Georgia | 751 Collins Hill Road Lawrenceville, GA 30046 |
Rules and Regulations
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States 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
All methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department. Certification requires adhering to strict security, counseling, testing, and dosing protocols. Clinics must provide counseling and conduct drug screening urinalysis for all patients.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone has been shown to:
- Reduce illicit opioid use
- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease criminal activity
- Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
How Clinics Operate
Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to treat opioid use disorder. The medication blocks the euphoric and sedative effects of other opioids. The goal is to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings to help people recover and return to productive lives.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Uninsured patients pay out-of-pocket, often on a sliding-fee scale depending on income. State, federal, and nonprofit funding assists clinics to provide free and low-cost treatment to those in need. Grants also fund opioid prevention and addiction recovery programs. Public and private insurance often covers portions of methadone treatment costs.
Drug Use in Lawrenceville
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. Gwinnett County reported 95 opioid overdose deaths that year. The most commonly used substances in Lawrenceville and surrounding areas are:
- Opioids – prescription medications, heroin, fentanyl
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervised care including medical detox, counseling, group therapy, and aftercare planning. Typical stays range from 28-90 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer similar services to inpatient but allow clients to live at home. Sessions are held for several hours multiple times per week. Many outpatient programs are located in health clinics, community centers, or private practices.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 18% of Americans needing substance abuse treatment do not report what type of care they receive. Barriers like cost, availability, and social stigma prevent many from getting adequate help.
Comparison to Neighboring Conyers
| Category | Lawrenceville | Conyers |
| Treatment Centers | 12 | 8 |
| Inpatient Beds | 124 | 86 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000/month | $10,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone treatment programs provide the medication along with counseling and other services in what is known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This is considered the gold standard for treating opioid addiction. Patients must visit an opioid treatment program (OTP) daily to receive their dose.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as merely substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows methadone helps patients stabilize their lives and reduce risk behaviors when properly managed.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated to prevent misuse and diversion:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year to detect any unauthorized substance use.
- Take-home doses: Patients must follow program rules to earn take-home privileges. During the first 14 days, the take-home supply is limited to a single daily dose.
- Oversight: A team including a doctor, nurses, and counselors monitor each patient’s progress.
- Prescription monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data to ensure safe methadone dosage alongside any other medications.
In Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse but also medical uses. The state monitors prescribing and dispensing via the PDMP.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Controlled research shows it is effective at:
- Reducing opioid use: Patients on methadone have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests.
- Improving treatment retention: Patients on methadone stay in treatment 4.44 times longer than without medication. Retention is linked to lower mortality.
- Reducing disease transmission: Retention in treatment virtually eliminates injection drug use and related transmission of HIV/HCV.
- Reducing crime – Studies associate methadone treatment with reduced criminal behavior.
- Increasing employment: Patients stabilized on methadone are more likely to obtain/maintain jobs.
However, methadone does carry risks: potential for misuse, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation and cardiac issues for some patients, and respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines. It also requires daily visits to an OTP.
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for treating opioid addiction and reducing self-reported opioid use. Both play important roles as medication options.
In conclusion, methadone is a well-established treatment for opioid addiction, but it requires careful patient monitoring to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
About Lawrenceville
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Lawrenceville is located in Gwinnett County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Gwinnett County borders the following states:
Capital and Largest City
Atlanta is the capital and largest city in the state of Georgia.
Land Area
Gwinnett County covers an area of 437 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Lawrenceville is approximately 30,258 as of 2018. Gwinnett County has a population of 936,250 as of the 2020 census.
Demographics:
Gender
The gender ratio is approximately 50.8% female and 49.2% male.
Age Brackets
Over 60% of the population is between the ages of 18-65 years. Around 20% are under 18 years old and 15% are over 65 years old.
Occupations
The largest industries are education, healthcare, retail trade, construction and professional services. Common occupations include management, sales, office administration and food preparation/serving.
