Methadone Clinics in Brooklyn

Name rehabsAddressPhone
ARTC Brooklyn Clinic 11/Fort Greene937 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238(718) 789-1212
ARTC Brooklyn Clinic22 Chapel Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201(718) 260-2900
ARTC Bushwick 1149-55 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11206
ARTC East NY MMTP494 Dumont Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11207(718) 385-4000
ARTC Fort Green 937 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11238
Beth Israel Medical Center Vincent Dole Clinic25 12th Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215(718) 965-7900
Beth Israel Medical Center MMTP - Cumberland Clinic 100 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217
Beth Israel Medical Center MMTP - Vincent P Dole Clinic 25 12th Street Brooklyn, NY 11215
Beth Israel Medical Center MMTP/Cumberland Clinic100 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217(718) 237-9600
Beth Israel Medical Center Vincent Dole Clinic25 12th Street 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11215(718) 965-7900

Rules and Regulations

Brooklyn adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). These regulations cover certification, operations, treatment standards, and insurance rules.

Certification Procedures

To open and operate a methadone clinic in Brooklyn, organizations must undergo certification procedures and inspections by OASAS. Certification criteria include having qualified staff, evidence-based treatment plans, security and diversion control plans, community outreach protocols, and contingency plans. Clinics must renew OASAS certification annually.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction can:

  • Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
  • Help patients function and reconnect with family/society
  • Lower transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis
  • Pave the way for further addiction treatment if desired

How Clinics Operate

Certified methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing, counseling, drug testing, and case management to those recovering from opioid addiction. The highly-regulated clinics aim to reduce harm and support recovery.

Insurance Coverage

Public and private insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, typically cover methadone treatment. Some clinics operate on an out-of-pocket basis or use sliding-scale fees based on patient income. Grants and public funding also help support treatment access.

Drug Use in Brooklyn

Opioid crisis declared public health emergency: In 2017, the opioid epidemic was declared a nationwide public health emergency in the United States.

Statistics on drug overdoses and deaths: In 2020, there were 2,062 overdose deaths involving opioids in New York City, a 38% increase from 2019. Overdose deaths increased in all boroughs, with Brooklyn having the most at 764 deaths.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient or residential treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for substance abuse treatment, typically lasting 30-90 days depending on medical need. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, etc.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending regular treatment sessions (3+ days a week for several hours a day). It provides many of the same services as inpatient treatment.

Comparison of Treatment in Brooklyn vs. Philadelphia

CategoryBrooklynPhiladelphia
Treatment facilities230160
Inpatient beds1,8001,200
Cost of treatment$6,000-20,000$5,000-15,000

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent opioid withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain similarly to other opioid drugs. Under the opioid treatment program (OTP) model, methadone is taken orally once daily and dispensed through strictly regulated and accredited clinics.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps individuals with opioid addiction recover and reduce harm, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when properly managed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone clinics follow strict federal and state regulations around dispensing and monitoring:

  • Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unauthorized substance use.
  • Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a one-day (24-hour) supply that must be ingested on-site at the clinic. More take-home doses are permitted over time for stable patients meeting certain criteria.
  • Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, etc. to provide comprehensive care management.
  • Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference any other concurrent opioid prescriptions with methadone dosage, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.

In New York, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating accepted medical use but also potential for abuse and dependence.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT medication that:

  • Reduces illicit opioid use based on 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
  • Improves treatment retention 4.44 times more likely than non-medication approaches
  • Lowers risk of disease transmission from IV drug use
  • Increases employment opportunities

However, methadone does carry risks including the potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation causing heart issues, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other CNS depressants like benzodiazepines or alcohol. Careful patient screening and monitoring are crucial to minimize these safety concerns.

Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use and helping individuals achieve recovery goals. However, all MAT medications have both benefits and risks requiring careful management.

About Brooklyn

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City, located on the western portion of Long Island. It is coterminous with Kings County, the most populous county in the State of New York. It is bounded by the borough of Queens to the east, Staten Island to the southwest, and Manhattan across the East River to the north and west. The neighboring states of New York are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

Capital and Largest City

The capital and largest city in New York is New York City.

Land Area

Brooklyn covers an area of 97 square miles.

Infrastructure

Brooklyn is a city with local government and public services.

Population Statistics

Total population

As of 2019, Brooklyn had a population of 2,559,903, making it the most populous borough in New York City.

Demographics

Gender

  • Male: 48.8%
  • Female: 51.2%

Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 21.4%
  • 18 to 64 years: 67.3%
  • 65 years and over: 11.3%

Occupations

  • Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 47.3%
  • Service occupations: 22.2%
  • Sales and office occupations: 24.2%
  • Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 6.3%