Methadone Clinics in Evansville

Rules and Regulations

Evansville adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). All clinics must be certified and accredited.

Certification Procedures

To be certified, a clinic must:

• Be accredited by an approved accreditation body like the Joint Commission.
• Comply with federal and state regulations.
• Have qualified staff including a program doctor, nurses, and counselors.
• Provide counseling and other services in addition to medication.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction can:

• Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Allow people to focus on their recovery and rebuilding their lives.
• Lower the risk of overdose death.
• Improve overall health and social functioning.

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to treat opioid addiction. Patients must visit the clinic regularly to receive their medication under supervision. The clinics also offer counseling and other services to support recovery. The purpose is to stabilize patients, improve their health and productivity, and reduce criminal activity and overdoses.

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover methadone treatment. Some clinics also offer free or low-cost treatment based on income.

Drug Use in Evansville

In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a public health emergency in the United States.

Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths:

• In 2020, there were 1,835 drug overdose deaths involving opioids in Indiana — a rate of 27.5 deaths per 100,000 persons. This is higher than the national rate of 20.6 deaths per 100,000 persons.
• The greatest increase was seen in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (mainly fentanyl) which increased by over 50% from 2019 to 2020 in Indiana.

Data on the Prevalence of Different Substances:

Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used substances in Indiana. An estimated 6.1% of Indiana residents suffer from alcohol use disorder.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment involves visits to a facility up to 9 hours a week for counseling, group therapy, and medication management.

Treatment Level Unreported

Around 11.3% of treatment facilities did not report their treatment level in Indiana according to SAMHSA.

Comparison of Treatment in Evansville vs. Louisville

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 Maintenance Treatment (MMT) programs provide methadone along with counseling and other services, allowing people to function normally without using illegal opioids or misusing prescription opioids.

Methadone is dispensed orally in liquid or tablet form once daily at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). Patients must visit clinics regularly to receive doses. This ensures proper monitoring and reduces diversion risks.

Societal perspectives on MMT vary. Some view it as “replacing one drug with another.” However, research shows MMT helps patients lead healthier lives. With proper oversight, risks like misuse and cardiac issues can be managed.

Methadone Distribution

MMT clinics must follow strict federal and state regulations around distributing and monitoring methadone:

• Urine Testing: Patients undergo at least 8 randomized urine tests in the first year to check for opioid use and ensure compliance.
• Take-Home Doses: For the first 14 days, take-home doses are limited to 24 hours’ worth to prevent diversion or misuse. More take-homes are allowed over time for compliant patients.
• Monitoring: Clinics have an interprofessional team (e.g. doctors, counselors) to monitor patient progress and methadone side effects.
• Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians check the Indiana PDMP database before adjusting doses to avoid methadone interactions with other medications.

In Vanderburgh County, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance requiring special licensing for distribution. Regulations aim to maximize benefits and safety.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show MMT:

• Reduces opioid use (33% fewer opioid-positive urine tests)
• Improves treatment retention (4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment)
• Lowers overdose and disease transmission risks
• Increases employment opportunities

However, methadone does carry risks:

• Potential for misuse/diversion
• Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
• QTc prolongation/cardiac side effects
• Respiratory depression/overdose if combined with e.g. benzodiazepines

Compared to buprenorphine, studies show methadone is equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. However, both medications have benefits and risks requiring careful management.

About Evansville

Evansville is a city located in Vanderburgh County in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Location, County & Neighboring States

Vanderburgh County borders the states of Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana. The neighboring states are:

• Illinois
• Kentucky

Capital and Largest City

Indianapolis is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana.

Land Area

The land area of Evansville is 47.5 square miles.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The total population of Evansville is 117,429 as of the 2010 census.

Demographics

Gender

As of the 2010 census, the gender distribution in Evansville was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

Age Brackets

As of 2019, the age brackets in Evansville are:

• Under 18 years: 21.2%
• 18 to 64 years: 61.5%
• 65 years and over: 17.3%

Occupations

The top occupations in Evansville are:

• Management, business, science, and arts: 31.4%
• Sales and office: 24.2%
• Production, transportation, material moving: 16.3%
• Service: 16.3%
• Natural resources, construction, maintenance: 11.7%