| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Victory Clinical Services - Saginaw | 508 Shattuck Road Saginaw, MI 48604 |
Rules and Regulations
Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan 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 Health and Human Services.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular reporting and inspections required
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medication-assisted treatment has been shown to:
- Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
- Improve patient survival and retention in treatment
- Allow patients to improve health, relationships, and more
How Clinics Operate
Methadone clinics provide supervised methadone dosing, counseling, drug testing, and case management. The goal is to stabilize patients so they can function without using illicit or prescription opioids.
Insurance Coverage
Many Michigan Medicaid plans and private insurers cover methadone treatment. Those without insurance may seek treatment at little or no cost through publicly-funded clinics. Details vary by clinic.
Drug Use in Saginaw
- In 2020, there were 123 drug overdose deaths in Saginaw County, a 45% increase from 2019 (CDC)
- The overdose death rate per 100,000 people in 2020 was 35.7, compared to the national rate of 21.6 (CDC)
- The most common drugs involved in overdose deaths are synthetic opioids like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine (Saginaw County Medical Examiner)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Typically 28-30 day residential program with medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management
Outpatient Treatment
- Varies from 1-5 days per week for 1-2 hours per day depending on patient needs
- Offered at clinics, community mental health centers, hospitals
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 40-60% of people with a substance abuse disorder do not receive any treatment (SAMHSA)
Comparison of Treatment in Saginaw vs. Flint
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Saginaw | 15 | 125 | $10,000-30,000 |
| Flint | 23 | 205 | $15,000-35,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It activates opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to opioids. Patients receive a daily oral dose of methadone under medical supervision.
Mechanism as medication-assisted treatment, OTP principle Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It allows patients to function normally without the negative effects of obtaining and using opioids. OTPs provide methadone doses daily for patients alongside counseling and other support services to help maintain sobriety.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment While methadone treatment has demonstrated effectiveness for treating opioid addiction, it remains controversial. Some view it as merely substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows that methadone allows patients to hold jobs, have stable relationships, and reduce involvement in criminal activities when properly managed.
Explanation in layman’s terms Methadone is not a “cure” for addiction, but rather allows people addicted to opioids like heroin or pain medications to function normally without the extreme highs and lows caused by the addictive substances. With stable methadone doses, counseling, and support, patients can begin rebuilding their lives.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Patients must pass at least 8 urine tests in the first year to detect any unauthorized drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, patients must take every dose at the clinic. After meeting certain requirements, take-home doses are allowed.
- Monitoring: Clinicians, counselors, and other staff monitor each patient’s progress and methadone doses.
- Prescription monitoring: Providers review state prescription drug monitoring data to coordinate care and prevent harmful drug interactions.
Details on Michigan’s specific methadone regulations for Saginaw will be provided here once researched.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone treatment:
- Reduces opioid use (33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests)
- Reduces disease transmission from injection drug use
- Reduces involvement in criminal activities
- Improves retention in treatment (4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment)
Staying in treatment reduces overdose risk, disease transmission, and unemployment while increasing employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/heart issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
About Saginaw
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Saginaw is located in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It borders Bay City to the south and shares borders with the state of Ontario, Canada to the east. Saginaw’s neighboring states are Wisconsin to the west and Ohio to the south.
Capital and Largest City
Saginaw is the seat of Saginaw County. With a population of 48,919 as of the 2020 census, Saginaw is the largest city in the county.
Land Area
Saginaw has a total area of 18.10 square miles, of which 17.35 square miles is land and 0.75 square miles is water.
Infrastructure
- Roads: Interstate 75 and Interstate 675 intersect in Saginaw
- Rail: Amtrak provides passenger rail service
- Air: MBS International Airport provides regional commercial flights
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Saginaw was 48,919 at the 2020 census.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 23,342
- Female: 25,577
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 35.6%
- 18 to 65 years: 53.8%
- Over 65 years: 10.6%
Occupations
- Management/business/science: 31.2%
- Sales/Office: 24.5%
- Production/transportation: 16.8%
- Service: 27.5%
