Methadone Clinics in Omaha

Name rehabsAddressPhone
BAART1941 Center Street, Suite 210, Omaha, NE 68105(402) 341-6220
BAART - Omaha 1941 South 42nd Street Omaha, NE 68105
Catholic Charities Omaha Campus for Hope1490 North 16th Street Omaha, NE 68102(402) 827-0570
Omaha Treatment Center11215 John Galt Boulevard, Omaha, NE 68137(402) 592-5900
University Drug and Alcohol Program The Center1941 South 42nd Street Suite 210 Omaha, NE 68105(402) 595-1703
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Substance Use Disorder Program4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105(402) 346-8800x4301

Rules and Regulations

Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of best practice care.

Certification Procedures

To be certified, methadone clinics must:

  • Be accredited by an approved accreditation body
  • Meet facility and staff requirements
  • Follow safety and emergency procedures
  • Provide counseling and support services
  • Uphold patient privacy rights

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction can:

  • Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
  • Allow people to regain stability and function
  • Greatly reduces the risk of overdose and death
  • Facilitate participation in counseling and support programs

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Certified methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing and comprehensive support services to those recovering from opioid addiction. The purpose is to facilitate recovery and rehabilitation.

Insurance Coverage

Medicaid and many private insurers cover methadone treatment. Some clinics operate on an income-based sliding scale for uninsured patients. Grant funding also helps offset treatment costs at certain non-profit clinics. Patients are encouraged to discuss insurance and payment options during their intake evaluation. Coverage and costs vary widely depending on the clinic, insurer, and the patient’s policy details.

Drug Use in Omaha

The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in Nebraska. Key statistics on overdoses and deaths in Douglas County include:

  • Overdose deaths involving opioids increased from 41 in 2015 to 48 in 2016
  • Treatment admissions for heroin and prescription opioids have risen steadily since 2011

Top substances leading to treatment admissions:

  • Alcohol (46%)
  • Methamphetamine (22%)
  • Marijuana (18%)

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

  • The typical stay is 28 days
  • Detoxification, counseling, group therapy, medication

Outpatient Treatment

  • 1-5 visits per week
  • Individual and group counseling, medication management
  • Often follows inpatient treatment

Treatment Level Unreported

  • An estimated 30% of facilities do not report treatment level
  • Likely a mix of inpatient and outpatient

Comparison of Treatment in Omaha vs. Des Moines

CategoryOmahaDes Moines
Treatment Facilities3218
Inpatient Beds800500
Cost of Treatment$7,500 per month$6,000 per month

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs provide methadone doses daily for patients, allowing them to function normally without using illicit opioids. MMT follows the opioid treatment program (OTP) model with structure, counseling, and urine drug screening.

Society has mixed views on MMT. Supporters see it as allowing patients to hold jobs and reduce criminal activity. Critics argue it substitutes one opioid for another. However, evidence shows MMT helps patients improve their health and social functioning when properly regulated.

Methadone Distribution

MMT distribution follows strict federal and state guidelines:

  • Urine Testing: Patients must pass at least 8 random urine tests in the first year to ensure no illicit opioid use.
  • Take-Home Doses: Patients can only take home 1 dose during the first 14 days and then earn take-homes for continued negative tests.
  • Monitoring: Interprofessional teams provide MMT and monitor patient progress.
  • Prescription Checks: Providers check the prescription drug monitoring program to ensure safe methadone doses.

Methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance in Nebraska with special OTP dispensing rules.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness

Studies since 1947 show MMT effectively treats OUD when properly regulated.

Evidence shows MMT:

  • Reduces opioid use (33% fewer positive tests)
  • Improves treatment retention (4 times higher)
  • Lowers overdose and disease transmission risks
  • Increases employment

However, methadone does carry risks:

  • Potential for misuse and diversion
  • Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
  • QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
  • Respiratory depression if combined with other substances

Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for OUD treatment. However, methadone risks require careful management by skilled providers.

About Omaha

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Omaha is located in Douglas County in eastern Nebraska. It borders the following U.S. states:

Capital and Largest City

Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and is the county seat of Douglas County.

Land Area

Omaha covers an area of 118.9 square miles.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The total population of Omaha is 486,051 as of 2020.

Demographics:

Gender

  • Male: 49%
  • Female: 51%

Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 23.4%
  • 18 to 64 years: 63.3%
  • 65 years and over: 13.3%

Occupations

The top occupations in Omaha are:

  • Management, business, science, and arts: 34.8%
  • Sales and office: 24.2%
  • Service: 18.4%
  • Production, transportation, and material moving: 11.7%