| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kolmac Clinic | 1003 Spring Street Silver Spring, MD 20910 | (301) 589-0255 |
Rules and Regulations
Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the State of Maryland.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
- Staff must meet training requirements
- Security and diversion control standards must be met
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Methadone and other medications help treat opioid addiction
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows focusing on counseling and support programs
- Decreases risk of overdose and transmitting diseases
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide methadone doses to clients to help treat their opioid addictions. The medication prevents withdrawal symptoms for 24 to 36 hours. Clinics also offer counseling and behavioral therapies to address the psychological aspects of addiction.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept Maryland Medicaid along with other public and private insurance plans that cover addiction treatment services. Some clinics offer services on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without insurance coverage. Public funding may be available in some cases. Those without insurance should inquire about options to access treatment.
Drug Use in Silver Spring
Silver Spring has seen rising drug overdose deaths like many places across the country. The opioid epidemic has been declared a public health emergency nationwide.
In 2020, there were over 100,000 drug overdose deaths nationwide, including over 3,000 just in Maryland
The most common drugs involved in overdoses:
- Opioids – prescription medications, heroin, illicit fentanyl
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
Drug overdoses are the leading cause of preventable death in Montgomery County
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at facility 24/7 for detox and recovery
- Typical stay is 28 days to 6 months with medical care, counseling, group therapy
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend sessions 1-5 days a week for several hours
- Receive counseling, therapy, medication management
Unreported Treatment
- Many pursue treatment through unlicensed centers or informal support groups
- Hard to estimate numbers but likely significant
Comparison to Baltimore
| Category | Silver Spring | Baltimore |
| Treatment Centers | 15 | 25 |
| Inpatient Beds | 500 | 800 |
| Cost per Treatment Episode | $5,000 | $7,500 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and block euphoric effects of other opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Methadone maintenance treatment provides stable opioid replacement therapy, allowing normalization of brain function. The OTP model provides comprehensive support with required counseling and urine drug screening along with daily supervised methadone dosing. This reduces misuse while enabling function.
Societal views on methadone are mixed – some see it as trading one addiction for another while others recognize its medical value in improving outcomes if properly managed. Stigma remains a barrier to treatment. Public education helps demonstrate that methadone restores functioning when used appropriately.
Put simply, methadone occupies the brain’s opioid receptors at stable levels without stronger highs/lows, preventing dangerous cravings and withdrawal while blocking other opioids. This allows healing brain pathways. Formal treatment provides accountability.
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 compliance and prevent misuse of other substances.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply given daily onsite to prevent diversion or misuse. More takehomes are allowed over time with demonstrated compliance.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs have an interprofessional team including counseling staff to provide supportive case management, assessing progress and stability to guide appropriate take-home levels.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully cross-reference other opioid prescriptions with methadone dosage, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.
Silver Spring state drug classifications:
- Marijuana: Illegal
- Heroin: Illegal
- Cocaine: Illegal
- Methamphetamine: Illegal
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective gold-standard medication for treating opioid use disorder, used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies conclusively demonstrate methadone’s real-world effectiveness: patients have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment long-term compared to non-medication approaches. Retention in treatment dramatically reduces risks of overdose, infectious disease transmission, and criminal behavior while improving employment.
Major Drawbacks
However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion due to its intrinsic opioid activity. Withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly can be more severe than heroin withdrawal. Some individuals may experience QTc prolongation or cardiac arrhythmias. Especially risky is respiratory depression and overdose when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines, requiring care coordination with other prescribers.
Comparison to Other Medications
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use overall. Benefits but also risks requiring careful management.
About Silver Spring
Silver Spring is located in Montgomery County in the U.S. state of Maryland.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
- Maryland borders:
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- Washington, D.C.
Montgomery County surrounds the northwestern outskirts of Washington, D.C.
Capital and Largest City
- Capital: Annapolis
- Largest city: Baltimore
Land Area
The land area of Silver Spring is 9.4 square miles.
Infrastructure
Silver Spring is served by the Washington Metro Red Line, MARC commuter rail, Metrobus, and Ride On bus services. Major highways including the Capital Beltway also run through Silver Spring.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Silver Spring is 79,483 (2020 census).
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 47%
- Female: 53%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 19.3%
- 18 to 65 years: 73.7%
- Over 65 years: 7%
Occupations
Top occupations are management, business, science, arts, sales, office & administrative support roles. Over 60% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
