| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative Opportunities Inc Carol Jones Recovery Center for Women | 2411 West Catalpa Street Springfield, MO 65807 | (417) 862-3455x13 |
| Behavioral Health Group - Springfield Medical Clinic | 404 East Battlefield Road Springfield, MO 65807 | |
| Center for Addictions Cox Health | 1423 North Jefferson Street Springfield, MO 65802 | (417) 269-2273 |
Rules and Regulations
Springfield adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Missouri Department of Mental Health. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of care.
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must:
- Be accredited and licensed by the state
- Follow federal and state regulations around medication dispensing and counseling services
- Employ certified and licensed staff including doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers
- Maintain detailed patient records including treatment plans and drug test results
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Benefits of methadone maintenance treatment include:
- Reducing illicit and prescription opioid abuse
- Improving patient survival rates
- Lowering the risk of HIV and hepatitis infections
- Assisting patients in achieving sobriety and lifestyle change
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing and comprehensive counseling to those with an opioid use disorder. The purpose is harm reduction and rehabilitation. Clinics take a multidisciplinary approach with the goal of helping patients gain control over addiction and improve their quality of life.
Drug Use in Springfield
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Greene County, Missouri:
- There were 130 opioid overdose deaths in 2021, a 45% increase from 2020
- Fentanyl contributed to 78% of overdoses
- Methamphetamine accounts for 24% of substance abuse treatment admissions
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervision and comprehensive care. Typical components include:
- Medically-managed detox
- Individual and group counseling
- 12-step program introduction
- Aftercare planning
The average length of stay is 28 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer scheduled treatment services for 4-8 hours per week. Services are provided at clinics, hospitals, or recovery centers. Components can include:
- Group counseling
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Drug testing
- Case management
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 18% of Greene County residents needing substance abuse treatment do not report treatment levels. Barriers to treatment include cost, availability, and social stigma.
Comparison of Treatment in Springfield vs. Kansas City
| Category | Springfield, MO | Kansas City, MO |
| Treatment Facilities | 78 | 124 |
| Inpatient Beds | 490 | 1,230 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000 | $25,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is taken orally once daily in supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It allows patients to function normally without the negative effects of illicit opioid use.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. Some view it positively as an evidence-based treatment that improves outcomes. Others see it negatively as simply replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows methadone helps patients reduce or stop illicit opioid use, improve health, reduce disease transmission, and gain employment.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with required monitoring to prevent misuse:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year to detect illicit drug use.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days, take-home methadone is limited to a one-day supply, with more take-homes allowed over time for stable patients.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs have an interprofessional team including counselors, social workers, and nurses monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully manage methadone dosage due to its narrow therapeutic index and overdose potential, especially when combined with other substances.
In Springfield, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance with distribution overseen by federal and state agencies.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. Patients had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose and disease transmission risks and increases employment.
However, methadone does carry risks. There is potential for misuse and diversion. Withdrawal symptoms after stopping can be severe. High doses can prolong the QT interval on ECGs, increasing cardiac issues. It can also cause respiratory depression and overdose when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines.
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. Both play important roles in medication-assisted treatment.
In conclusion, methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring careful patient monitoring and management.
About Springfield
Location, Greene County & List of Neighboring States
Springfield is located in Greene County in the southwestern part of Missouri. The neighboring states are Kansas to the west, Oklahoma to the south, Arkansas to the south and east, Tennessee to the southeast, and Kentucky to the east.
Capital and Largest City
Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri, while Kansas City and St. Louis are the two largest cities in the state. Springfield is the third largest city in Missouri.
Land Area
The land area of Springfield is 82.31 square miles.
Infrastructure
- Interstate 44 and U.S. Route 60 are two major highways that intersect in Springfield.
- Springfield-Branson National Airport provides commercial air service.
- Public transit includes bus services.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The estimated population of Springfield in 2019 was 167,882 people.
Demographics
Gender
About 49.2% of the population are male and 50.8% are female.
Age Brackets
About 23.9% of people are under age 18, 59.5% are aged 18 to 64 years old, and 16.6% are over age 65.
Occupations
Major occupations are in education, health care, retail trade, arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services. Manufacturing is also a key industry.
