Rules and Regulations
Golconda, Pope County, Illinois, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Methadone clinics must be certified and meet standards for dispensing and administering methadone.
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must be certified by the DEA and accredited by a SAMHSA-approved accrediting entity. Staff must complete the required training. Clinics must meet security and record-keeping standards. Methadone must be dispensed and administered according to DEA regulations.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows people to regain stability and function in their lives
- Reduces risk of overdose and transmitting infections
- Facilitates participation in counseling and behavioral therapies
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment for people addicted to opioids. Patients receive methadone doses daily under supervision. Clinics offer counseling and behavioral therapies. The goal is to help people achieve sobriety and restore health and functioning.
Insurance Coverage
- Some clinics offer free treatment based on patient income eligibility. These clinics are grant-funded.
- Methadone treatment is covered by Medicaid and many private insurers. Coverage may include required pre-authorization, co-pays, or deductibles. Uninsured patients pay out-of-pocket based on a sliding fee scale.
Drug Use in Golconda
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency. Drug overdoses have become a leading cause of injury and death in the U.S., with over 70,000 overdose deaths reported in 2017.
- In Illinois, 2,202 people died from drug overdoses in 2017. Opioids were involved in nearly 80% of these deaths.
- In Pope County, the overdose death rate was 10.2 per 100,000 people in 2017. This was lower than the statewide rate of 17.5.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab involves 24/7 care and supervision. Typical lengths of stay range from 28-90 days. Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention planning, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment provides 9-5 programming at a facility for 3-5 days per week. Services include counseling, therapy, medication management, and recovery meetings.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10% of people receiving treatment do not report the setting. This may include detox centers, sober living homes, and other recovery support services.
Comparison of Treatment in Golconda vs. Evansville, IN
| Location | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Avg. Cost for 30 Days |
| Golconda, IL | 1 | 16 beds | $10,000 |
| Evansville, IN | 15 | 180 beds | $15,000 |
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 withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain, while blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. It is taken orally once daily in supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed, with some seeing it as merely replacing one addiction with another, while supporters emphasize its efficacy in retaining patients in treatment and reducing illegal opioid use and associated harms. In layman’s terms, methadone occupies the opioid receptors so users no longer experience withdrawal or highs from shorter-acting opioids.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with monitoring requirements:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unauthorized drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of methadone treatment, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a single 24-hour dose, with patients required to take all other daily doses under supervision at the clinic.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications a patient may be prescribed, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.
The state of Illinois currently lists methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance requiring a prescription.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for methadone patients
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication treatment
- Retention in methadone treatment reduces overdose and HIV/HCV transmission risk and increases employment
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with benzodiazepines or other depressants
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use. But careful patient monitoring and management is crucial given methadone’s potential risks.
About Golconda
Golconda is a city in Pope County, Illinois, United States.
Location, County & Neighboring States
Golconda is located in southern Illinois along the Ohio River. Pope County borders the following states:
The largest city and capital of Illinois is Springfield.
Land Area
The land area of Golconda is 2.17 square miles. Pope County covers a total land area of 364 square miles.
Infrastructure
Some details about Golconda’s infrastructure include:
- Several churches
- A few local restaurants
- Dixon Springs State Park Recreation Area
- Local golf course
- County courthouse
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Golconda was 668 at the 2020 census. Pope County’s population was 4,237 at the 2020 census.
Gender
Estimated 50.8% female, and 49.2% male in 2020.
Age Brackets
The median age in Golconda is 50 years old. Pope County’s median age is 47.4 years old.
Occupations
Common occupations include healthcare, education, hospitality, transportation, and retail. Many residents also work in surrounding towns.
