Rules and Regulations
Princeton Junction, Mercer County, New Jersey, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the New Jersey Department of Health. All clinics must be licensed and meet standards for quality of care.
Certification Procedures
To operate a methadone clinic in New Jersey, organizations must:
- Obtain a license from the state
- Follow federal and state regulations
- Meet accreditation standards
- Employ qualified staff, including a medical director
- Maintain thorough patient records
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medications used in treatment have been shown to:
- Reduce illicit opioid use
- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease criminal activity
- Allow patients to regain functionality in work and family life
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder. Clinics offer:
- Methadone dosing in a supervised clinical setting
- Ongoing substance abuse counseling
- Case management and referrals
- Routine drug testing
- Support services to help patients recover
Insurance Coverage
Methadone treatment may be covered by:
- Medicaid
- Private insurance plans
- State-funded treatment programs for those without insurance
Some clinics provide free or low-cost treatment based on patient income eligibility and grant funding.
Drug Use in Princeton Junction
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in the United States. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, drug overdose deaths increased 21% from 2019 to 2020 in the state. The most commonly cited drugs in overdose deaths in 2020 were:
- Fentanyl – 2,474 deaths
- Heroin – 840 deaths
- Cocaine – 828 deaths
- Prescription opioids – 417 deaths
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab involves living at a treatment facility while undergoing intensive therapy and treatment. Typical inpatient treatment lasts 30-90 days. Services include medically supervised detox, counseling, behavioral therapies, 12-step programs, aftercare planning, and more.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows individuals to live at home while attending regular therapy sessions (3-5 days per week for several hours a day initially). Services are similar to inpatient but delivered in a less intensive outpatient setting.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of those seeking addiction treatment in Princeton Junction do not report their treatment level. Outpatient treatment is generally estimated to be 3 times more common than residential treatment.
Comparison of Treatment in Princeton Junction vs. Trenton
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Princeton Junction | 12 | 150 | $15,000/month |
| Trenton | 35 | 850 | $10,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It is taken orally once a day and acts on the same opioid receptors in the brain as heroin and opioid painkillers. Methadone normalizes brain chemistry, blocks the euphoric effects of opioids, relieves physiological cravings, and allows patients to function normally without the negative behaviors seen in active addiction. Methadone is only provided through federally regulated opioid treatment programs (OTPs), where patients must attend counseling and are subjected to drug testing to ensure compliance.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated to prevent misuse and diversion. Patients in an OTP are drug tested at least 8 times in the first year of treatment. For the first 14 days, take-home doses are limited to a single 24-hour supply. After 90 days of compliant treatment, patients can earn one take-home dose per week, eventually earning up to one month’s supply after 2 years in some states. An interprofessional team including doctors, nurses, and counselors provides monitoring and support. Clinicians check the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) before increasing a patient’s methadone dosage due to potentially dangerous drug interactions.
In New Jersey, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance with extra prescribing and dispensing regulations.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is highly effective in reducing illicit opioid use and transmission of diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Patients on methadone have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication approaches. Retention in treatment greatly reduces risks of overdose and disease transmission while improving employment rates.
However, methadone does carry risks including misuse, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation affecting heart rhythm, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines.
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. With appropriate monitoring, methadone’s benefits outweigh the risks for many patients.
About Princeton Junction
Princeton Junction is a census-designated place and unincorporated community located within West Windsor Township, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States.
Location, County & Neighboring States
Princeton Junction is located in central New Jersey. It is situated in Mercer County. The states that border New Jersey are:
Capital and Largest City
Trenton is the capital and largest city in New Jersey.
Land Area
The land area of Princeton Junction is 5.697 square miles.
Infrastructure
Princeton Junction contains a New Jersey Transit rail station providing service on the Northeast Corridor Line. It also has access to Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1.
Population Statistics
The population of Princeton Junction is 2,465 as of 2010.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 1,239 (50.3%)
- Female: 1,226 (49.7%)
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 402 (16.3%)
- 18 to 64 years: 1,740 (70.6%)
- 65 years and over: 323 (13.1%)
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 1,398 (56.7%)
- Service occupations: 184 (7.5%)
- Sales and office occupations: 353 (14.3%)
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 64 (2.6%)
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 119 (4.8%)
