Methadone Clinics in North Chicago

Rules and Regulations

North Chicago, Lake County, Illinois adheres to strict state and federal regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Certification Procedures

All methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state. Certification requirements include having qualified staff, ensuring patient safety and ethical treatment practices, providing counseling, and meeting opioid treatment standards.

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 recovery
• Lowering the risk of overdose

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The purpose is to support recovery and prevent relapse and the many harms associated with opioid misuse.

Insurance Coverage

Both public and private insurance plans typically cover methadone treatment:

• Medicaid covers treatment costs for those who qualify.
• Most private plans cover treatment under federal parity laws. Those without insurance can inquire about sliding-scale options at clinics.

Drug Use in North Chicago

Opioid Crisis Declared Public Health Emergency

• In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
• According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 2,202 people in Illinois died from opioid overdoses in 2020. Lake County reported 58 opioid-related deaths that year.

Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths

• The most commonly used substances in Lake County are alcohol (53.9% of admissions), heroin (14.8%), cannabis (13.4%), and cocaine (6.2%).
• Lake County saw a 29% increase in opioid overdose emergency department visits from 2018 to 2019.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months depending on medical need. 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 group therapy sessions 1-5 times a week for 2-4 months on average.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-15% of patients do not specify whether they receive inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Comparison of Treatment in the North Chicago Area vs. Chicago

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone is dispensed through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) rather than prescribed, allowing for daily monitored dosage.

• Mechanism as medication-assisted treatment: Methadone activates opioid receptors similarly to other opioids, preventing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without euphoric effects when taken as prescribed. It has a long half-life, allowing single daily dosing.
• OTP principle: Patients must visit clinics daily to receive methadone under supervision during the initial phases of treatment to prevent misuse and monitor progress. The frequency of visits can decrease over time if patients meet certain take-home criteria.
• Societal perspectives on methadone treatment: Opinions on methadone are mixed, with some seeing it as trading one addiction for another and others recognizing its effectiveness as MAT for a chronic relapsing condition. Stigma remains a barrier to treatment.

In layman’s terms, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid by activating the same receptors. This stops withdrawal and cravings. The patient takes methadone instead of using other opioids, allowing them to function without euphoria or sedation when an optimal dose is reached.

Methadone Distribution

Monitoring and regulations:

• Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure other opioids are not still being used.
• Take-home requirements: During the first 90 days of treatment, methadone is only dispensed and consumed on-site at the clinic. After meeting certain criteria, take-home doses can be permitted, though restrictions remain to prevent misuse and diversion.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health staff to monitor patient progress.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and doses, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.

In Lake County, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, available only through licensed OTPs per state and federal regulations.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since the 1960s. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when patients are retained in treatment.

Evidence for Effectiveness

Research shows participation in methadone treatment programs can lead to:

• 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
• 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
• Retention in treatment reduces overdose mortality risk by 50% and HIV risk behaviors
• Increased employment rates

Major Drawbacks

However, methadone does carry risks:

• Potential for misuse/diversion due to its opioid activity
• Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly after dependence develops
• Possibility of QTc prolongation or cardiac arrhythmias
• Respiratory depression or overdose when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines

Comparison to Other Medications

Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. Buprenorphine has a lower risk profile and is easier to access through office-based treatment.

Methadone is beneficial but requires careful patient monitoring and management due to risks.

About North Chicago

North Chicago is located in Lake County in northeastern Illinois. It borders Wisconsin to the north and Indiana to the east.

Capital and Largest City

The capital and largest cities in Illinois are Springfield and Chicago, respectively.

Land Area

North Chicago has a total area of 7.9 square miles.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of North Chicago was 29,941 as of 2020.

Gender

• Male: 51%
• Female: 49%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 29.4%
• 18 to 64 years: 58.3%
• 65 years and over: 12.3%

Occupations

The top occupations in North Chicago are:

• Healthcare support: 17%
• Production: 14%
• Office administration: 10%
• Transportation: 8%
• Education: 8%