Methadone Clinics in Reno

Rules and Regulations

Reno, Washoe County, Nevada adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the State of Nevada Board of Pharmacy.

Certification Procedures

To operate legally in Nevada, a methadone clinic must:

• Be certified by SAMHSA
• Be licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy
• Follow controlled medication dispensing protocols
• Employ qualified and licensed staff
• Meet safety and cleanliness standards
• Protect patient confidentiality

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Benefits of methadone maintenance treatment include:

• Reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Allowing people to function normally and hold jobs
• Lowering the risk of overdose or transmitting diseases
• Providing counseling and support services
• Monitoring patient progress

How Clinics Operate

Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The medication relieves withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings without inducing euphoria. Clinics start patients on low doses which are gradually increased to determine the optimal maintenance level. Counseling aims to change addictive behaviors.

Insurance Coverage

• Free clinics
  Northern Nevada HOPES provides primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care regardless of ability to pay
• Public and private insurance coverage details
  Nevada expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Most residents have private insurance through an employer or the health insurance marketplace

  Drug Use in Reno

  The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in Nevada. According to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services:

  • In 2017, there were 422 opioid-related deaths in Nevada, a rate of 14.4 per 100,000 persons. This is higher than the national rate of 14.0 per 100,000.
  • The drugs involved in the most overdose deaths were methamphetamine (194 deaths) and prescription opioids (104 deaths).
  • Nevada providers wrote 63.9 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons in 2017 compared to the average U.S. rate of 58.7.

  Addiction Treatment Overview

  Inpatient Treatment

  Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication management, and aftercare planning.

  Outpatient Treatment

  Outpatient treatment provides services for several hours a week while the person lives at home. It includes counseling, medication management, and recovery support groups.

  Treatment Level Unreported

  Around 18% of treatment admissions in Nevada did not specify treatment level according to a SAMHSA report. It is estimated two-thirds were outpatient.

  Comparison of Reno, Nevada vs. Las Vegas, Nevada

  Category	Reno	Las Vegas
  Treatment facilities	114	153
  Inpatient beds available	516	1,523
  Cost of 30 days inpatient	$15,000	$17,500

  Methadone Treatment

  What is Methadone

  Methadone is an opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to help individuals with opioid use disorder abstain from illicit opioid use. It works by binding to the same opioid receptors in the brain that other opioids bind to, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This allows the individual to focus on recovery without experiencing severe discomfort from opioid withdrawal.

  Methadone is a strictly monitored medication with regulations on distribution and use. Patients in an OTP must visit a clinic daily to receive their dose of methadone under observation. This reduces the risks of misuse, diversion, or accidental overdose. Over time, patients who demonstrate treatment progress may earn take-home doses to reduce travel burden.

  Methadone Distribution

  Methadone distribution is highly regulated to prevent misuse. Regulations include:

  • Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 urine tests in the first year to detect illicit drug use. Positive tests may lead to loss of take-home privileges.
  • Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, the take-home supply is limited to 24 hours. After treatment progress, patients can earn 27 days of take-home doses.
  • Monitoring: Methadone clinics should have an interprofessional team including counselors and medical staff to coordinate care.
  • Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should check the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) when determining dosage to avoid dangerous drug interactions.

  According to the state’s PDMP data, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance in Nevada with strict regulations on prescribing and dispensing.

  Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

  Methadone is an effective medication for opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone treatment reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. 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. Retention in treatment reduces overdose and disease transmission risks and increases employment opportunities.

  However, methadone does carry risks if misused. Potential drawbacks include risk of misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation or cardiac issues, respiratory depression, or overdose when combined with other substances. Methadone must be carefully managed by clinicians.

  Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. Overall, methadone provides benefits for treating opioid use disorder but also has risks requiring careful monitoring and management.

  About Reno

  Location, County & List of Neighboring States

  Reno is located in Washoe County in northwestern Nevada, United States. It borders the following states:

  • California
  • Oregon
  • Idaho

  Capital and Largest City

  Reno is the county seat and largest city in Washoe County.

  Land Area

  Reno has a total area of 106 square miles.

  Population Statistics

  Total Population

  The population of Reno is 248,853 as of the 2020 census.

  Demographics

  Gender

  • Male: 50.1%
  • Female: 49.9%

  Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 20.2%
  • 18 to 64 years: 62.3%
  • 65 years and over: 17.5%

  Occupations

  The top occupations in Reno are:

  • Office and administrative support: 14.3%
  • Sales and related: 11.4%
  • Food preparation and serving: 9.2%
  • Healthcare practitioners and technicians: 7.9%
  • Education, training, and libraries: 6.8%