| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Tri County Mental Health Services Main Office | 3100 NE 83rd Street Suite 1001 Kansas City, MO 64119 | (816) 468-0400 |
Rules and Regulations
Kansas City and Clay County, Missouri adhere 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
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department
- Staff must undergo thorough background checks and training
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone helps individuals with opioid addiction 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
Methadone clinics provide daily monitored doses of methadone to patients, along with:
- Health assessments
- Counseling
- Referrals to community resources
The goal is to help patients achieve lasting recovery and prevent relapse.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurance plans cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer sliding-scale fees or arrangements based on income. Uninsured patients may qualify for state funding assistance. Those without coverage can inquire about reduced self-pay rates.
Drug Use in Kansas City
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Missouri specifically:
- There were 1,376 opioid overdose deaths in 2020, a 45% increase from 2019
- Fentanyl and heroin are involved in over 75% of overdoses
- Methamphetamine accounts for 30% of addiction treatment admissions
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide round-the-clock supervised care including detoxification, counseling, medication management, and aftercare planning. Typical stays range from 28-90 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer similar services to inpatient facilities but allow the individual to live at home. Treatment occurs 1-5 days per week for usually less than 12 weeks.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10% of facilities did not report their treatment level in Missouri surveys. However, the overall capacity remains robust.
Comparison of Treatment Availability
| Category | Kansas City | St Louis |
| Facilities | 102 | 83 |
| Inpatient Beds | 1,220 | 960 |
| Cost | $15,000 | $12,500 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing people to focus on recovery.
Mechanism as medication-assisted treatment, OTP principle:
- Acts on opioid receptors to relieve withdrawal and cravings
- Administered orally once daily in OTPs
- Enables focus on counseling and recovery
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment:
- Stigma exists due to misconceptions about substitution therapy
- Shown to be an evidence-based, lifesaving treatment
Explanation in layman’s terms:
- Does not produce euphoria when taken as prescribed
- Prevents opioid withdrawal symptoms
- Reduces drug cravings
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days, limited to a 24-hour methadone supply
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs have an interprofessional team providing care
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians review PDMP data to carefully cross-reference opioid dosage due to methadone’s narrow therapeutic index
In Missouri, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance available only through approved OTPs. Clay County follows state and federal methadone distribution regulations.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone:
- Reduces opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Increases treatment retention 4.44 times
- Retention reduces overdose/disease transmission risk and increases employment
Major Drawbacks Potential for:
- Misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose combined with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
Equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use
Benefits but also risks requiring careful management
About Kansas City
Location, Clay County & Neighboring States
Kansas City is located primarily in Jackson County but also extends into Clay and Platte counties in Missouri. Clay County borders Kansas City to the north.
The states bordering Missouri are:
Capital & Largest City
Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri, while Kansas City is the largest city in the state.
Land Area
Kansas City covers 319 square miles of land area. Clay County covers 409 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Kansas City is over 500,000 residents. Clay County has a population of approximately 250,000.
Demographics
Gender
Kansas City’s population is 51% female and 49% male. Clay County’s population is 50.5% female and 49.5% male.
Age Brackets
Over 60% of Kansas City and Clay County residents are between the ages of 18-65 years old. Around 20% are under 18 and 15% are over 65.
Occupations
The top occupations in Kansas City and Clay County are healthcare, retail trade, education, and hospitality. Over 80% of residents work in the service industry.
