Rules and regulations
Amesbury 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 meet standards for dispensing and storing medications.
Certification procedures
- Clinics must apply for certification from SAMHSA
- Staff must undergo training on methadone treatment protocols
- Facilities must meet security and storage standards for controlled substances
- Records must be kept on all patients and doses dispensed
Benefits of medication-assisted treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone helps individuals with opioid use disorder by:
- Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing opioid cravings
- Allowing patients to focus on counseling and behavioral therapies
- Lowering the risk of overdose
How clinics operate and their purpose
Methadone clinics provide MAT to treat opioid addiction. Patients come each day to receive safe, controlled doses of methadone. The clinics offer counseling and drug testing to support recovery. The ultimate purpose is to improve patients’ functionality, health, and quality of life.
Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans and Medicaid cover MAT in Massachusetts. Free or low-cost treatment may be available from:
- Publicly funded treatment centers
- Nonprofit clinics
- Research studies
Drug Use in Amesbury
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in Massachusetts. According to the MA Department of Public Health:
- There were 2,022 opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts in 2021. This is a 4% increase from 2020.
- Fentanyl was present in 93% of opioid-related overdose deaths where a toxicology report was available.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient or residential treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for substance abuse treatment. Treatment typically includes:
- Individual and group counseling
- Medical monitoring
- 12-step program introduction
The average length of stay is 30 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home and attend treatment sessions at a facility. It usually involves:
- 1-2 treatment sessions per week
- Group and individual therapy
- Close monitoring
Outpatient facilities are located throughout the state.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-15% of patients do not report their treatment level. Reasons may include privacy concerns or involvement in non-traditional treatment options.
Comparison of Treatment in Amesbury vs. Neighboring Major City
| Category | Amesbury | Salem |
| # of Treatment Facilities | 5 | 15 |
| Inpatient Beds Available | 50 | 150 |
| Cost of Treatment | $10,000/month | $15,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent Opioid Withdrawal and cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain like other opioids. However, it does not produce the same level of euphoria or sedation, allowing those with OUD to function normally. Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps treat addiction, some view it as merely replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows MAT with methadone or buprenorphine is more effective for OUD than abstinence-only approaches. When properly monitored, methadone relieves withdrawal and craving, allowing patients to focus on recovery.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly regulated with several monitoring requirements:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure appropriate use.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone Supply is limited to a single 24-hour dose. More take-home doses are allowed over time for patients meeting treatment goals.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to coordinate care.
- 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.
The state of Amesbury categorizes methadone as a Schedule II controlled prescription drug.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT for OUD. Evidence includes:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for methadone patients
- Patients on methadone 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV transmission, and increases employment
However, methadone does have some major drawbacks:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use.
In conclusion, methadone is beneficial but also has risks requiring careful management.
About Amesbury
Location, county & list of neighbouring states
Amesbury is located in Essex County, Massachusetts. It borders the following municipalities:
- Merrimac
- West Newbury
- Newburyport
- Salisbury
Capital and largest city
The capital and largest city in Massachusetts is Boston.
Land area
The land area of Amesbury is 13.0 square miles.
Infrastructure
Population Statistics
The total population of Amesbury is 17,283 as of the 2020 census.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age brackets
- Under 18 years: 19%
- 18 to 64 years: 62%
- 65 years and over: 19%
Occupations
The top occupations in Amesbury are:
- Management, business, science, and arts: 34%
- Sales and office: 24%
- Service: 19%
- Production, transportation, and material moving: 14%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: 8%