Methadone Clinics in Paterson

Rules and Regulations

Paterson, New Jersey adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of care.

Certification Procedures

• Clinics must apply for certification from SAMHSA and accreditation from an oversight organization.
• Staff must meet educational and licensing criteria.
• Facilities must meet physical requirements for security, accessibility, and hygiene.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

• Methadone and other medications relieve withdrawal and reduce cravings.
• Patients can focus on recovery and rehabilitation.
• Treatment is proven to reduce illicit opiate use, overdoses, and transmission of diseases.

How Clinics Operate

Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to those with opioid use disorder. The goal is to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and allow people to focus on their health and participation in positive social activities.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Those without insurance can inquire about state funding and sliding-scale fees based on income. Grants are also available but limited.

Drug Use in Paterson

The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in New Jersey. In 2017, there were 3,163 drug overdose deaths statewide. The drugs most commonly involved in overdose deaths were:

• Fentanyl (1,429 deaths)
• Heroin (848 deaths)
• Cocaine (744 deaths)
• Prescription opioids (556 deaths)

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient drug rehab involves living at a treatment facility for 30-90 days or longer. It provides 24/7 care, medical monitoring, counseling, 12-step programs, and other services.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment involves periodic counseling sessions (1-5 times per week) at a clinic, hospital, or private practice. It allows the patient to continue living at home while getting treatment.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of addiction treatment in New Jersey is unreported. This includes unlicensed facilities and informal support groups.

Comparison of Treatment in Paterson vs. Newark

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It is part of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) where it is administered daily under medical supervision. The goal is to provide stable opioid effects and reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal in a structured setting.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment vary. Some see it as simply replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows methadone relieves withdrawal symptoms, reduces opioid cravings, and allows patients to focus on recovery. With proper monitoring, methadone enables functioning without euphoria or sedation. Still, stigma remains, underscoring the need for education.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is strictly regulated with required urine testing, take-home restrictions, interprofessional monitoring, and prescription tracking:

• Urine Testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 urine tests in the first treatment year to ensure adherence.
• Take-Home Requirements: For the first 14 days, take-home methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply. Restrictions gradually ease with demonstrated progress.
• Monitoring: Methadone programs require an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors and social workers.
• Prescription Tracking: Clinicians should check the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to carefully monitor methadone dosing due to its narrow therapeutic window.

In New Jersey, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, available only through approved OTPs.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies confirm methadone is an effective MAT for opioid use disorder. It is associated with:

• 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
• 4.44 times higher treatment retention
• Lower overdose death rates
• Reduced HIV and hepatitis C transmission through injection drug use
• Decreased criminal activity

However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation, respiratory depression when combined with other substances, and overdose at high doses.

Research shows methadone and buprenorphine have comparable efficacy in reducing illicit opioid use during treatment. However, methadone may have slightly better retention rates.

In summary, methadone is beneficial but requires careful patient monitoring to minimize risks.

About Paterson

Paterson is located in Passaic County in northeastern New Jersey, United States. It borders the state of New York.

Location, County & Neighboring States

• Paterson is located in Passaic County in northeastern New Jersey.
• It borders the state of New York to the north and northeast.
• Other neighboring states are Pennsylvania to the west and Delaware to the south.

Capital and Largest City

Paterson is the county seat and most populous city of Passaic County.

Land Area

Paterson has a total area of 8.704 sq mi.

Population Statistics

Total Population

As of the 2020 Census, the population of Paterson was 159,732.

Demographics

Gender

• Male: 49%
• Female: 51%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 28.4%
• 18 to 64 years: 59.5%
• 65 years and over: 12.1%

Occupations

• Management/professional: 32%
• Service: 28%
• Sales/Office: 22%
• Construction/maintenance/production: 13%
• Unemployed: 5%