| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Health Group - Columbia Medical Clinic | 1301 Vandiver Square Suite Y Columbia, MO 65202 |
Rules and Regulations
Columbia, Boone County, Missouri adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
Certification Procedures
To be certified, methadone clinics must:
- Be accredited by an approved accreditation body
- Employ staff who meet educational and licensing standards
- Follow opioid treatment standards in dispensing methadone
- Maintain patient records with intake, treatment, and discharge information
- Have plans for medical emergencies and patient referrals
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medications used in treatment have been shown to:
- Reduce opioid withdrawal and cravings
- Allow normalization of body functions
- Prevent relapse
- Help patients reconnect with family, work/school, and community
How Clinics Operate
Certified methadone clinics provide medication, counseling, case management, and other services to treat opioid addiction. Treatment plans are individualized to each patient’s needs.
Insurance Coverage
Public and private insurance plans often cover methadone treatment. Columbia also has government-funded clinics providing free treatment to qualifying uninsured and underinsured individuals. Those without insurance may also qualify for state funding or a sliding-scale program based on income.
Drug Use in Columbia
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Missouri:
- There were 1,132 opioid overdose deaths in 2020
- Overdose deaths increased by 54% from 2018 to 2020
Boone County has seen lower but still concerning rates of overdose deaths and emergency room visits for drug misuse.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug rehab involves staying at a treatment facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication management, aftercare planning, and more.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home and attend sessions at the treatment center up to 5 days a week for several hours a day. Services are similar to inpatient but less intensive.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of people with a drug use disorder in Boone County are not receiving any formal addiction treatment according to national and statewide statistics.
Comparison of Treatment Options
| Category | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, MO |
| Treatment Centers | 15 | 25 |
| Inpatient Beds | 150 | 300 |
| Cost of Treatment | $10,000-$30,000 | $15,000-$40,000 |
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 blocks the effects of illicit opioids through cross-tolerance. Methadone is taken orally once daily in supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs) based on federal and state regulations.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment range considerably. Supporters view it as an evidence-based treatment that improves outcomes and saves lives. Critics see it as merely replacing one opioid with another. Overall, methadone remains a clinically proven, cost-effective OUD treatment.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution involves careful monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any illicit drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 90 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a single dose. After 2 years of compliance, patients can receive a 28-day supply.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors providing medical care, therapy, and case management.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to verify doses and combinations with other medications that could increase overdose risk.
As a Schedule II controlled substance, methadone distribution in Missouri is regulated by federal and state laws enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local agencies.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid addiction that has been used since 1947. Studies demonstrate methadone’s benefits in reducing opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when treatment is continued for an adequate duration under supervision.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Research shows participation in methadone treatment programs for at least one year is associated with:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times higher likelihood of staying in treatment
- Reduced risk of overdose and disease transmission
- Increased employment opportunities
Retention in treatment is a key predictor of positive outcomes from methadone maintenance therapy.
Major Drawbacks
Potential drawbacks of methadone include risk of misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation or cardiac issues, respiratory depression/overdose when combined with benzodiazepines or alcohol, and complex regulations around distribution.
Comparison to Other Medications
About Columbia
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Columbia is located in Boone County in central Missouri. It borders the following U.S. states:
Capital and Largest City
Columbia serves as the county seat of Boone County. It is the largest city in central Missouri.
Land Area
The land area of Columbia spans about 63 square miles.
Infrastructure
Columbia features an international airport, hospitals, universities, and an integrated public transportation system of buses and paratransit.
Population Statistics
Total Population
As of 2020 census estimates, Columbia has a population of 126,075 residents.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 50.2%
- Female: 49.8%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 18.6%
- 18 to 64 years: 69.3%
- 65 years and over: 12.1%
Occupations
The top occupations in Columbia are in:
- Education, healthcare and social assistance
- Retail
- Arts, entertainment, recreation
