| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Life Solution Inc II Medication Unit | 637 Dunn Road Suite 180 Hazelwood, MO 63042 | (314) 731-0100 |
| Center for life solutions | 9144 Pershall Rd, Hazelwood, MO 63042 | (314) 731-0100 |
Rules and Regulations
Methadone clinics, also known as Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) in Hazelwood, provide medication-assisted treatment for those recovering from opioid addiction. OTPs adhere to strict federal and state regulations regarding the dispensing of methadone and other medications.
Services Offered
OTPs in Hazelwood aim to provide comprehensive treatment services, including:
- Medically-supervised methadone and buprenorphine dosing
- Individual and group counseling
- Case management
- Referrals for mental health, medical, and social services
The goal is to help clients achieve sobriety and improved health, relationships, and quality of life. The treatment team collaborates with each client on an individualized plan focused on their specific needs and recovery goals.
Access to Treatment
Insurance coverage and financial assistance may be available for OTP services. Those without insurance may qualify for state funding or services at little to no cost from nonprofit clinics. Making treatment accessible and affordable for all is crucial for supporting public health.
Drug Use in Hazelwood
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
Statistics on drug overdoses and deaths
- In 2020, there were 93,331 drug overdose deaths in the U.S., a 30% increase from 2019.
- Opioids were involved in 75% of overdose deaths in 2020.
Data on the prevalence of different substances
- Fentanyl and synthetic opioids are driving drug overdose deaths, increasing 38.4% from 2019 to 2020.
- Cocaine and psychostimulant overdose deaths also increased.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Patients reside at the facility 24/7 for detox and counseling. Average stays range from 30-90 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Patients attend structured programming at a facility for 10 or more hours a week while living at home.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 89% of people in need of addiction treatment do not receive it. Stigma and lack of providers contribute to this gap.
Comparison of Treatment in Hazelwood vs. St. Louis
| Category | Hazelwood | St. Louis |
| Treatment Centers | 15 | 35 |
| Inpatient Beds | 500 | 1200 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000/month | $25,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent opioid withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain similarly to other opioid drugs. However, it does not provide the associated euphoria or high of misused opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in tapering doses under medical supervision in what are known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, methadone enables patients to function normally, improve health, and reduce the harm of opioid addiction when properly managed.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with strict federal and state laws to prevent misuse and diversion:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random urine drug tests in the first year to ensure appropriate use and identify any continued illicit drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, methadone doses must be consumed on-site at the clinic. After meeting certain criteria, take-home doses can be permitted depending on patient progress.
- Monitoring: OTPs must have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference any other concurrent opioid prescriptions for the patient and adjust methadone dosage accordingly within the narrow therapeutic window to avoid over-sedation or overdose.
As an example, in Hazelwood, Missouri, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance subject to the above dispensing criteria per state and federal regulations.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show methadone MAT is an effective evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Research indicates participation in a methadone program can significantly reduce opioid use based on drug testing, lower risky injection drug use behaviors that transmit diseases like HIV or hepatitis, reduce criminal behavior associated with drug-seeking, and increase retention in treatment. Specifically, methadone patients have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication treatment, which reduces overdose risk and transmission of infectious diseases while improving employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks
However, methadone does carry some risks including the potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, possible QTc interval prolongation or cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory depression, and increased overdose risk when combined with certain substances like benzodiazepines. Careful patient monitoring and oversight is required to mitigate adverse events.
Comparison to Other Medications
Studies show methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use and enabling patient functioning.
In conclusion, while not without some risks, methadone MAT offers important benefits for treating opioid addiction if properly managed.
About Hazelwood
Location, St. Louis County & Neighboring States
Hazelwood is located in north St. Louis County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It borders the following states:
Capital & Largest City
Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri, while St. Louis is the largest city in the state.
Land Area
Hazelwood has a total area of 16.64 square miles.
Infrastructure
Hazelwood has access to major highways including Interstates 270, 170, and 70. The city also has rail access via the Union Pacific Railroad.
Population Statistics
Based on the 2020 census, Hazelwood has a population of 25,383 residents.
Demographics
- Gender: As of 2020, Hazelwood’s population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
- Age Brackets: Over 18% of Hazelwood’s population is under age 18 and around 13% are age 65 or older. The median age is 39.4 years old.
Occupations
Top occupations in Hazelwood include office administration roles, sales, food preparation and service, transportation, production, management, construction, maintenance, and repair.
