| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Health Services | 172 Montano Road Albuquerque, NM 87107 | |
| Albuquerque Treatment Center WCHS | 630 Haines Avenue NW Albuquerque, NM 87108 | (505) 764-9669 |
| Central New Mexico Treatment Center | 630 Haines Avenue NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 | |
| Duke City Recovery Toolbox | 912 First Street SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 | |
| Metamorphosis New Mexico Inc | 112 Monroe Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 | (505) 260-9917 |
| Recovery Services of New Mexico | 1528 Five Points Road, Albuquerque, NM 87105 | (505) 242-6919 |
| University of New Mexico Addictions and Substance Abuse Progs (ASAP) | 2600 Yale SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 | (505) 994-7999 |
| University of New Mexico Addictions and Substance Abuse Program | 2450 Alamo SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 | |
| University of New Mexico Addictions and Substance Abuse Progs | 2450 Alamo Drive SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 | (505) 925-2400 |
| Veterans Affairs Medical Center Substance Use Disorders Program | 1501 San Pedro Street SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 | (505) 265-1711x2127 |
Rules and Regulations
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and accredited by an independent body. Staff must complete comprehensive training and clinics must meet strict safety and treatment guidelines.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows people to regain control of their lives
- Improves social functioning and participation in counseling
- Decreases criminal activity and risk of HIV or hepatitis
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to people with opioid use disorder. Patients visit daily to receive methadone doses under medical supervision. The clinics offer counseling and behavioral therapies to support patients in recovery. The ultimate purpose is to help people achieve sobriety and improved health.
Insurance Coverage
- Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Some clinics offer sliding scale fees based on income.
- Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless offers free methadone treatment. Their goal is to remove barriers to recovery for disadvantaged groups.
Drug Use in Albuquerque
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In New Mexico in 2020, there were 898 drug overdose deaths, a 43% increase from 2019. The drugs involved included:
- Opioids: 67%
- Methamphetamine: 31%
- Cocaine: 16%
- Alcohol: 12%
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending counseling and support groups 1-5 times per week for 2-4 months on average. Services are provided at clinics, hospitals, or private practices.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of patients do not report which treatment level they are attending. However, experts believe the majority opt for outpatient treatment.
Comparison of Treatment Options
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost Range |
| Albuquerque, NM | 112 | 1,236 beds | $15,000-$60,000 |
| Tucson, AZ | 63 | 490 beds | $10,000-$50,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It is taken orally once daily in supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Methadone works by preventing withdrawal symptoms for 24-36 hours. This allows patients to focus on recovery without cravings or sickness. It does not provide the same high as other opioids when taken as prescribed. The OTP model provides a structure with counseling and urine drug screens.
Society has had mixed views on methadone treatment. While it helps treat addiction as a disease, some view it as merely substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows MAT helps patients improve social functioning and quality of life. When properly regulated, methadone is safe and effective.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly regulated with several monitoring requirements:
- Urine Testing: Methadone patients must undergo at least 8 random urine tests in the first year to detect any unsanctioned drug use.
- Take-Home Requirements: Patients must attend the OTP clinic daily for the first 14 days before take-home doses are allowed based on progress in treatment.
- Monitoring: OTPs must have an interdisciplinary team including counselors, social workers, and medical staff to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) when titrating methadone doses to avoid dangerous drug interactions, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window.
In New Mexico, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance only legal with a valid prescription. The state PDMP monitors prescribing and usage.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Many studies over decades show MAT with methadone is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Multiple studies show methadone treatment reduces opioid use based on drug testing and self-reports. MAT also reduces risky injection behavior and transmitting diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Participants have 33% fewer opioid-positive urine tests and are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment greatly reduces risks of overdose and disease transmission while increasing employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks
Methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation affecting heart rhythm, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines. Close supervision is required to mitigate these risks.
Comparison to Other Medications
Studies show methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use and retaining patients in treatment.
While not without risks, methadone maintenance coupled with counseling and monitoring is an evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction that reduces harm and improves outcomes when properly managed.
About Albuquerque
Albuquerque is located in Bernalillo County in central New Mexico, United States.
Location, County & Neighboring States
Albuquerque is surrounded by the states of Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
Capital & Largest City
As both the capital and largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque serves as the county seat of Bernalillo County.
Land Area
Albuquerque covers a total land area of 189.5 square miles.
Infrastructure
Albuquerque utilizes an extensive road and highway system for transportation. The Alvarado Transportation Center provides Amtrak rail service. Albuquerque International Sunport serves as the primary airport.
Population Statistics
The total population of Albuquerque is 558,545 people as of the 2020 census.
Gender
The gender breakdown is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years old: 22.7%
- 18 to 65 years old: 63.5%
- Over 65 years old: 13.8%
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 43.3%
- Sales and office occupations: 26.5%
- Service occupations: 15.6%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 14.6%
