| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Options with Preventive and Effective Treatment (HOPET) | 629 SE Quincy Street Suite 205 Topeka, KS 66603 | (785) 233-1785 |
| Topeka Treatment Center | 3360 SW Harrison Topeka, KS 66611 |
Rules and Regulations
Topeka adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics. These regulations govern licensing, certification, operating procedures, and insurance coverage.
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and licensed by the state. Certification requirements include security and record-keeping protocols, patient consent forms, and employing authorized healthcare professionals to oversee treatment.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone provides the following scientifically proven benefits:
- Reduces illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
- Improves patient survival rates and social functioning
- Lowers transmission rates of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide supervised methadone dosing, counseling, and wraparound services to treat opioid use disorder. Clinics aim to help patients achieve sobriety and self-sufficiency.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers provide coverage for methadone treatment per state laws and the Affordable Care Act. Uninsured patients may qualify for free or reduced-cost treatment through state and federal grant programs.
Drug Use in Topeka
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- In 2020, there were 98 drug overdose deaths involving opioids in Shawnee County—a rate of 21.2 deaths per 100,000 persons. This is higher than the national rate of 20.6 deaths per 100,000 persons.
- Methamphetamine contributed to 26 overdose deaths in 2020.
Data on Prevalence of Different Substances
- In 2019, 2.31% of Topeka, KS residents reported using illicit drugs in the past month.
- 0.95% reported misusing prescription drugs.
- 0.41% reported misusing pain relievers.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Patients reside at a treatment facility for 30-90 days depending on medical need. Treatment includes counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Patients attend structured programming at a facility at least 3 days a week for 2-4 hours a day over a period of 90 days. Services include therapy, group counseling, medication management, and recovery coaching.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated additional 5-10% of Shawnee County residents receive unspecified levels of substance abuse treatment each year.
Comparison of Treatment in Topeka vs. Kansas City
| Category | Topeka | Kansas City |
| Number of treatment facilities | 15 | 25 |
| Inpatient beds available | 250 | 400 |
| Cost of 30 days of inpatient treatment | $15,000 | $20,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people dependent on opioids. It allows patients to focus on recovery without experiencing severe physical symptoms.
Methadone is taken orally once daily and works by normalizing brain function disrupted by opioid abuse over time. It does not provide the same euphoria as other opioids when taken as prescribed.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. Some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows MAT with methadone is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder. It helps patients stabilize their lives and reduce the harm of opioid addiction.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is heavily regulated and monitored:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unauthorized substance use.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a one-day (24-hour) supply that must be ingested on-site under supervision. More take-home doses are permitted over time if patients meet certain criteria.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health counselors monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference methadone dosage for each patient, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.
In Kansas, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, available only through approved OTPs with required counseling. Federal and state laws tightly regulate dosing and take-home methadone.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder. Methadone treatment:
- Reduces opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Keeps patients in treatment 4.44 times longer than no medication
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk and disease transmission while improving employment rates
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing opioid use and supporting recovery. Still, careful management is needed to minimize methadone’s potential downsides.
About Topeka
Location, Shawnee County & Neighboring States
Topeka is located in northeast Kansas on the Kansas River in Shawnee County. It borders the following states:
Capital and Largest City
Topeka is the capital and largest city in Kansas.
Land Area
Topeka has a total area of 61 square miles.
Infrastructure
Topeka has a developed infrastructure including roads, rail, air travel via Forbes Field, utilities, and telecommunications. As the capital of Kansas, it serves as a hub for transportation and public services in the region.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Topeka is 127,209 as of 2020.
Demographics:
Gender
- Female: 51.5%
- Male: 48.5%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 22.4%
- 18 to 65 years: 59.7%
- Over 65 years: 17.9%
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts: 34.8%
- Sales and office: 24.2%
- Service: 18.3%
- Production, transportation, and material moving: 11.4%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: 11.2%
