Rules and Regulations
Sedan, Chautauqua County, Kansas adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular facility inspections enforce safety and record-keeping rules
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Methadone reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows people to function normally and reconnect with society
- Lowers risk of overdose and transmitting infections
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
- Provide daily supervised methadone doses
- Offer counseling and behavioral therapies
- Support recovery and prevent relapse
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment
- Most private health plans cover treatment under federal parity laws
- Some clinics offer free or reduced-cost treatment through grants and public funding
Drug Use in Sedan
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.
- From 1999-2017, almost 218,000 people died in the U.S. from overdoses related to prescription opioids.
- In 2017, over 17,000 deaths were attributed to prescription opioid overdoses alone.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically.
- Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication management, aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
- Outpatient treatment involves periodic services while living at home.
- Typical frequency is 3-5 days per week for 2-4 hours per day.
- Services are similar to inpatient but less intensive.
Treatment Level Unreported
- Many who could benefit from treatment do not report their treatment level.
- Estimates suggest only 10% of those with a substance abuse disorder receive specialty treatment.
Comparison of Treatment in Sedan vs. Wichita
| Category | Sedan | Wichita |
| Treatment Facilities | 2 | 15 |
| Inpatient Beds | 20 | 300 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000 | $30,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings for other opioids by occupying the opioid receptors in the brain. Methadone maintenance treatment provides methadone doses daily under observation at opioid treatment programs (OTPs). This allows for monitored, regular administration rather than the patient self-administering.
Methadone as MAT works by stabilizing the brain’s opioid receptors, preventing extreme highs and lows, and allowing the patient to function normally. The OTP model provides comprehensive treatment including counseling and support services along with the medication. Patients must visit the clinic daily to receive their dose under observation, which ensures compliance and provides supervision, especially in early treatment.
There is stigma around methadone treatment in some groups who view it as simply substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows MAT leads to improved outcomes versus abstinence-only models. MAT has strong medical evidence supporting its use for treating opioid addiction. Still, some argue resources should go toward non-medication-based recovery options. Overall, experts endorse MAT as an evidence-based treatment for opioid disorders.
Simply put, methadone occupies the brain’s opioid receptors enough to stop cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing the patient to focus on counseling, work, and family. They take an oral dose once daily at the clinic, which provides structure. Methadone is not a wonder drug – it takes work and commitment like any treatment. But it helps stabilize patients so they can function and work on lifelong changes.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure they are not still using illicit opioids.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply. Over time, less supervised dosing may be allowed for stable patients.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including medical, counseling, and case management staff to monitor and support the patient’s progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference any other opioid medications prescribed and methadone dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window.
Methadone is a DEA Schedule II controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and addiction. It may only be dispensed to patients enrolled in a certified OTP by authorized staff. Kansas maintains a PDMP database to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances including methadone.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. Patients on MAT with methadone have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests versus no medication. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which reduces overdose risk and infectious disease transmission while increasing employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks
Potential for misuse/diversion exists if used outside a structured program. Sudden discontinuation can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Possible QTc prolongation or cardiac issues in some patients. Can cause respiratory depression or overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines.
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone is equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing illicit opioid use in patients.
Methadone has demonstrated benefits for treating opioid addiction but also risks requiring careful management under a methadone program.
About Sedan
Sedan is a city in Chautauqua County, Kansas, United States.
Location, County & Neighboring States
Sedan is located in southeastern Kansas. It is the county seat of Chautauqua County.
Neighboring states include:
Capital and Largest City
Topeka is the capital and largest city in Kansas.
Land Area
The land area of Sedan is approximately 1.15 square miles.
Infrastructure
Sedan has a public library, post office, grocery store, gas station, and city park.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The total population of Sedan is about 1,124 people (2010 census).
Gender
- Male: 50%
- Female: 50%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 20%
- 18 to 65 years: 60%
- Over 65 years: 20%
Occupations
- Agriculture/ranching: 25%
- Education/Healthcare: 20%
- Retail/hospitality: 15%
- Manufacturing: 10%
- Other: 30%
