| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bio Medical Behavioral Healthcare Inc - Flint | 1044 Gilbert Road Flint, MI 48532 | |
| Recovery Unlimited Treatment Center | 3169 West Pierson Road Flint, MI 48504 | (810) 785-4930 |
Rules and Regulations
Flint, Genesee County adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Methadone and buprenorphine treatment reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Clinics provide counseling, health services, and referrals along with medication
- Treatment is associated with reduced risk of overdose and transmitting infections
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder. Along with dispensing methadone or buprenorphine, clinics offer services such as:
- Health and psychiatric assessments
- Individual and group counseling
- Referrals to health providers and social services
- Drug testing
The goal is to help patients achieve sobriety and improved health and social functioning.
Insurance Coverage
Both public and private insurance plans typically cover methadone treatment:
- Medicaid covers treatment at approved clinics
- Most Michigan private plans are required to cover substance abuse treatment
- Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding scale based on income for those without coverage
Drug Use in Flint
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Michigan, drug overdose deaths increased by 13% from 2018 to 2019. The most common drugs involved in overdoses in the state are opioids, specifically heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Statistics on Michigan Drug Overdoses and Deaths:
- 2,354 overdose deaths in 2019
- Over 13,000 emergency department visits for opioid overdoses
- Genesee County had 95 overdose deaths in 2019
Data on Most Prevalent Substances:
- Opioids: heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioids
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
Addiction Treatment Overview in Flint
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervision and intensive treatment services. Typical length of stays range from 28-90 days. Services include medically-managed detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer services for 4-8 hours per week in local clinics. Services include therapy, support groups, medication management, and recovery coaching.
Unreported Treatment Levels
An estimated 40-60% of people with addiction issues in Michigan do not receive any formal treatment. Barriers include lack of health insurance, high treatment costs, and lack of treatment capacity.
Comparison of Treatment in Flint vs. Detroit
| Category | Flint | Detroit |
| Treatment Centers | 15 | 25 |
| Inpatient Beds | 120 | 300 |
| Cost of Treatment | $7,500/month | $10,000/month |
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 supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
As a medication-assisted treatment, methadone normalizes brain function compromised by opioid addiction. The structured environment of OTPs provides counseling and urine drug screening to promote recovery.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment vary. While some view it as trading one addiction for another, studies show methadone helps people stay in treatment, reduce opioid use and transmission of infectious disease, and improve employment outcomes. Explained simply, methadone relieves withdrawal and craving so people can focus on recovery.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly regulated with required urine testing and limitations on take-home doses:
- Urine Testing: Patients must undergo at least eight urine tests for drugs in the first year to ensure compliance.
- Take-Home Doses: For the first 14 days, take-home methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply given daily under observation at the clinic. More take-homes are permitted based on time in treatment and negative drug tests.
- Monitoring: OTPs must have an interprofessional team including counselors, social workers, and doctors to coordinate care.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review state PDMP data when determining dosage and coordinate with other providers to prevent dangerous drug interactions.
As a Schedule II controlled substance, methadone is legal only through certified OTPs adhering to DEA and SAMHSA standards in states like Michigan. Illicit use remains a felony offense.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies confirm it is an extremely effective medication for opioid use disorder when provided in a supervised setting.
Evidence shows participation in a methadone program significantly:
- Reduces opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Increases likelihood of staying in treatment 4.44 times
- Lowers overdose death rates
- Reduces disease transmission through injection drug use
- Increases rates of employment
However, methadone does carry risks including:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with benzodiazepines and other sedatives
Compared to other medication-assisted treatments, methadone performs equally well as buprenorphine for reducing illicit opioid use and keeping people in treatment. The structured environment of methadone programs provides additional support for recovery.
While not without risks, methadone’s benefits are significant when properly managed.
About Flint
Flint is located in Genesee County in eastern Michigan. Genesee County borders the following areas:
- Lapeer County to the north
- Shiawassee County to the west
- Livingston County to the south
- Oakland County to the southeast
- Macomb County to the east
Location, County & Neighboring States
Flint is the largest city and county seat of Genesee County. It is located along the Flint River, 66 miles northwest of Detroit. The state of Michigan borders the following states:
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in Michigan is Detroit. Flint is the seventh largest city in Michigan.
Land Area
The total land area of Flint is 34.06 square miles.
Infrastructure
Flint is served by Bishop International Airport and Amtrak railway station. The major highways are I-69, I-475 and US 23.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Flint is estimated to be around 95,538 as of 2019.
Demographics
- Gender: Approximately 51.3% female, 48.7% male
- Age Brackets: 19.3% under 18 years, 9.2% aged 18-24 years, 25.5% aged 25-44 years, 26.2% aged 45-64 years, 19.8% over 65 years
- Occupations: Top occupations are management, business, science & arts (31.8%), sales & office (24.6%), production, transportation, material moving (16.4%)
