Methadone Clinics in Rockville

Rules and Regulations

Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state.

Certification Procedures

To be certified, clinics must:

• Meet standards for opioid treatment protocols
• Employ adequately trained staff
• Maintain proper records and security measures

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medications used in treatment can:

• Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Allow people to focus on their health and life goals
• Lower the risk of overdose and transmitting diseases
• Enable access to counseling and support services

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Clinics provide methadone doses for opioid addiction treatment. Patients must visit clinics daily to receive medication under supervision. The goal is to help people achieve sobriety and avoid the disruptions of active addiction.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Uninsured patients may qualify for state-funded treatment. Some clinics offer sliding scale fees based on income.

Free Clinics

Free or low-cost methadone treatment may be available from government-sponsored clinics and nonprofit organizations. Eligibility is based on income, insurance status, and residency.

Drug Use in Rockville

The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in the United States. In Maryland, opioid overdose deaths have increased in recent years:

• 2,089 opioid-related deaths occurred in Maryland in 2018, a 9% increase from 2017
• Fentanyl contributed to 89% of opioid overdose deaths
• Heroin contributed to 48% of opioid overdose deaths

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves residing at a facility for 24/7 care and monitoring. Typical stays range from 30 to 90 days. Services include medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides services while allowing the person to live at home. It involves regularly scheduled services including counseling, group therapy, and medication management. Frequency ranges from weekly to daily sessions.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of those receiving treatment do not report the treatment level. This may include those in recovery housing and informal support groups.

Comparison of Treatment in Rockville vs. Neighboring Cities

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 drug cravings. Methadone acts on the same brain receptors as opioids to reduce symptoms. It is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs).

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. Some view it as “trading one addiction for another.” However, research shows methadone helps individuals with opioid addiction stabilize their lives and reduce the harm of ongoing drug use when properly managed.

Methadone Distribution

OTPs must follow strict federal and state regulations in dispensing methadone:

• Urine Testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year to detect illicit opioid use.
• Take-Home Doses: For the first 14 days, methadone is only dispensed as a single 24-hour dose on-site at the clinic. After meeting requirements, take-home doses can gradually increase with demonstrated progress.
• Monitoring: OTPs require an interprofessional team including counseling to increase treatment effectiveness.
• Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review state prescription data before increasing doses due to methadone’s potential interactions with other medications.

In Maryland, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating accepted medical use but also potential for abuse. The DEA sets quotas on methadone production each year.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT option. Compared to no treatment, methadone is associated with:

• 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
• 4.44 times greater likelihood of staying in treatment
• Reduced overdose death risk and disease transmission from injection drug use
• Increased employment rates

However, methadone does carry risks if misused. These include:

• Potential for abuse/diversion for nonmedical use
• Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly after dependence develops
• Possibility of QTc interval prolongation or cardiac issues
• Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with benzodiazepines or other depressants

Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. However, careful patient monitoring and management of risks/benefits are vital.

About Rockville

Rockville is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It borders Potomac to the west, Gaithersburg to the north, Washington D.C. to the southeast, and Bethesda to the south.

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware

Capital and Largest City

• Capital: Annapolis
• Largest city: Baltimore

Land Area

Rockville has a total area of 13.5 square miles.

Infrastructure

Rockville has access to the Washington Metro rail system, MARC commuter rail, and AMTRAK. Major roads include Interstate 270 and State Route 355.

Population Statistics

Total Population

As of 2010, the population was 61,209 residents.

Demographics:

Gender

• Male: 48%
• Female: 52%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 21.6%
• 18 to 65 years: 62.3%
• Over 65 years: 16.1%

Occupations

Top occupations include office administration roles, sales-related roles, and roles in the science, engineering and tech fields.