Rules and regulations: Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the state and federal government.
Certification procedures:
- Methadone clinics must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and licensed by the state.
- Clinics must follow regulations around dispensing methadone, counseling requirements, and operating standards.
- Staff must complete training on methadone treatment protocols.
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone can:
- Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allow people to focus on their health and recovery
- Lower the risk of overdose
- Help people get back to work and school
How clinics operate and their purpose:
- Methadone clinics provide methadone doses for opioid addiction treatment.
- Patients visit the clinic daily to receive their prescribed methadone dose.
- Clinics offer counseling and support services to help with recovery.
- The goal is to help people achieve sobriety and better health.
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance plans cover methadone treatment:
- Medicaid covers treatment at certified clinics.
- Private insurance often covers a portion of treatment costs.
- Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale for those without insurance.
Drug Use in Bridgewater Township
In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This allows the federal government to waive some regulations and give states more flexibility in how they use federal funds to address the epidemic.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths:
- In 2020, there were 3,034 drug overdose deaths in New Jersey – a 20% increase from 2019.
- Opioids were involved in 85% of New Jersey’s drug overdose deaths in 2020.
- Fentanyl was involved in 79% of the state’s opioid-related overdose deaths.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for substance abuse treatment. Treatment typically includes individual and group counseling, medical monitoring, medication management, and aftercare planning. Average length of stay is 30 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment provides substance abuse treatment services while allowing the patient to live at home. It includes services like therapy, support groups, and medication management. Frequency is typically 3 days a week for several hours per day.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of addiction treatment in New Jersey goes unreported to state agencies. This includes treatment from private practice therapists, physicians, and some community programs.
Comparison of Treatment in Bridgewater Township vs. Neighboring Major City
| Category | Bridgewater Township | Newark |
| Treatment Facilities | 15 | 28 |
| Inpatient Beds | 110 | 230 |
| Cost of Treatment | $10,000/month | $7,500/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
- Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and block euphoric effects of other opioids.
- Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
- Methadone activates opioid receptors as an agonist, preventing painful withdrawal symptoms without providing a “high”, allowing people with opioid addictions to function normally. Methadone is only provided through monitored OTPs to reduce misuse potential. Patients receive daily doses under medical supervision.
- Methadone treatment is controversial – some view it as “trading one addiction for another.” However, research shows methadone helps people control opioid addiction, improve health, reduce crime/overdoses when properly managed. Many medical groups support methadone treatment as an evidence-based practice.
- Methadone tricks the brain’s opioid receptors, managing addiction. It stabilizes patients, improving functioning without sedation. OTPs provide structure/accountability for people working on recovery.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure no other opioid use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home Supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour Supply. More take-home doses allowed over time if patients follow program rules.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team of medical, counseling and social work staff monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications, as methadone overdose risk increases when combined with other substances due to narrow therapeutic window.
Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, United States state drug classifications
(Details provided from state prescription monitoring and ONDCP data)
- Schedule II controlled substance
- High potential for abuse/dependence
- Accepted medical use with severe restrictions
- Abuse may lead to severe physical/psychological dependence
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease transmission risk and increases employment
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
Equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use
Conclusion
Benefits but also risks requiring careful management
About Bridgewater Township
Bridgewater Township is located in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. It borders the following municipalities:
- Branchburg Township
- Raritan
- Bound Brook
- Warren Township
Capital and largest city: Bridgewater
Total area: 32.51 sq mi
Population Statistics
- As of the 2020 Census, the township had a total population of 46,793.
Demographics:
Gender:
- Male: 50.1%
- Female: 49.9%
Age brackets:
- Under 18 years: 26.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.2%
- 65 years and over: 14.4%
Occupations:
- Management, business, science and arts occupations: 61.2%
- Sales and office occupations: 23.8%
- Service occupations: 8.5%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 5.1%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 1.4%