Rules and Regulations
Bloomington, Monroe, Indiana adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Indiana State Department of Health. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of care.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Medication dispensing must follow DEA regulations
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone has been shown to:
- Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Support recovery by relieving distress and allowing focus on counseling
- Lower risk of overdose death
- Improve health outcomes and social functioning
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs) provide MAT with methadone. This involves daily supervised medication dosing, counseling, and case management. The goal is to support long-term recovery.
Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans and Medicaid cover MAT. Those without insurance may qualify for state funding or clinic payment assistance programs.
Drug Use in Bloomington
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Indiana:
- Drug overdose deaths have increased by over 500% since 1999
- Nearly 1,900 Hoosiers died from drug overdoses in 2020
- Opioids were involved in over 75% of these deaths
The most commonly used substances in Monroe County are:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prescription opioids
- Heroin
- Cocaine and crack cocaine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typically 28 days, but can range from 3-6 months
- Detoxification, individual and group counseling, medication management, aftercare planning
- 24/7 medical supervision and support
Outpatient Treatment
- 1-5 days per week for 1-6 months
- Provided at clinics, health centers, counselor offices
- Group and individual therapy, medication management
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 10-30% of addicts in treatment have an unreported level of care
- Likely a mix of inpatient and outpatient services
Comparison of Treatment Options
| Category | Bloomington | Indianapolis |
| Treatment Facilities | 25 | 64 |
| Inpatient Beds | 150 | 850 |
| Cost of Treatment | $5,000/month | $7,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in opioid treatment programs (OTPs), follows an observed daily dosage protocol to prevent withdrawal and reduce opioid cravings without inducing a euphoric high.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed – while it does help stabilize patients and reduce illegal opioid use, risks of misuse and diversion remain concerns. Explained simply, methadone substitutes a legal, regulated opioid to treat addiction to other opioids like heroin.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is carefully monitored and regulated for safety, including:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure appropriate use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply to prevent misuse.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team to provide medical and psychosocial support.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference opioid dosages, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic index.
In Bloomington, Monroe, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance according to Indiana state drug classifications.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone:
- Reduces opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Increases likelihood of staying in treatment by 4.44 times
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease 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 if combined
Methadone is equally effective as buprenorphine in reducing opioid use but requires careful monitoring and management due to risks.
In conclusion, methadone has demonstrated effectiveness but also potential drawbacks requiring oversight.
About Bloomington
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Bloomington is located in Monroe County in southern Indiana. It borders the following states:
Capital and Largest City
Indianapolis is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana.
Land Area
Bloomington has a total area of 23.359 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
Bloomington has an estimated population of 84,067 as of 2019.
Demographics:
Gender
As of the 2019 census estimate, the gender breakdown of Bloomington was:
- Male: 50.8%
- Female: 49.2%
Age Brackets
As of 2019 estimates:
- Under 18 years: 13.5%
- 18 to 24 years: 42.3%
- 25 to 44 years: 23.8%
- 45 to 64 years: 13%
- Over 65 years: 7.3%
Occupations
Top occupations in Bloomington include:
- Education, healthcare, and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services
- Professional, scientific, management, and administrative
