Methadone Clinics in New York

Name rehabsAddressPhone
Addiction Institute of NY Opioid Treatment Program 429 West 58th Street New York, NY 10019
ARTC Highbridge 500 West 180th Street New York, NY 10037
ARTC Kaleidoscope 119 West 124th Street New York, NY 10027
ARTC Third Horizon 2195 3rd Avenue New York, NY 10035
Bellevue Hospital Center Detox Unit462 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016(212) 562-4623
Bellevue Hospital Center Substance Abuse Division27th Street and 1st Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10016(212) 562-4097
Beth Israel Medcial Center MMTP - Clinic 1 1825 Park Avenue 8th Floor New York, NY 10035
Beth Israel Medcial Center MMTP - Clinic 2C 435 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10010
Beth Israel Medical Center MMTP Avenue A Clinic26 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009(212) 420-2079
Beth Israel Medical Center MMTP Clinic 1E429 2nd Avenue, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10010(212) 726-6800

Rules and Regulations

New York adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by agencies like the DEA and OASAS. These regulations aim to ensure safe, effective, and ethical treatment practices.

Certification Procedures

  • Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and accredited by an organization like CARF or The Joint Commission.
  • Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements. Clinics must have a medical director who is a licensed physician.
  • Regular inspections ensure compliance with regulations.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

  • Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
  • Allows people to function normally and participate in counseling
  • Lowers the risk of overdose and transmitting infections
  • Improves social functioning and quality of life

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to people with opioid use disorder. Patients visit the clinic daily to receive methadone doses under supervision. The clinics also offer counseling and behavioral therapies to support recovery. The ultimate purpose is to mitigate the effects of addiction and improve patients’ health.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Uninsured patients may qualify for state funding or clinic payment assistance programs. Some clinics offer treatment at little or no cost to those unable to pay.

Drug Use in New York

In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency. New York has been hit hard by this epidemic.

Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths

  • In 2020, there were 2,062 overdose deaths involving opioids in New York – a 41% increase from 2019.
  • Overdose deaths from synthetic opioids like fentanyl have risen sharply since 2018. Fentanyl was involved in nearly 60% of New York’s overdose deaths in 2020.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides services for 4-8 hours a day, 3-5 days a week while living at home. It utilizes various therapies and social support systems.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 18% of admissions in New York are to treatment facilities not reporting their service level. The majority of these are presumed to be outpatient programs.

Comparison of Treatment in New York vs. Philadelphia

CityNumber of Treatment FacilitiesInpatient BedsCost of Treatment
New York9155,301$17,000/month
Philadelphia2671,884$14,000/month

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. However, it does not produce the same level of euphoria or sedation, allowing those in treatment to function more normally. Methadone is taken orally once daily in supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs).

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps stabilize individuals and reduce illegal opioid use and associated crime, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when properly regulated.

In layman’s terms, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting other opioids, preventing withdrawal symptoms. This allows individuals to function normally and focus on recovery without being impaired by methadone itself.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is strictly monitored with several regulations:

  • Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year of treatment to detect any ongoing illicit drug use.
  • Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to just a 24-hour dose. More take-home doses are allowed over time for stable patients meeting certain criteria.
  • Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including counselors, social workers, and medical staff to monitor patient progress.
  • Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference any other opioid medications and titrate methadone dosage appropriately, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.

In New York, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating accepted medical use but also potential for abuse and dependence. Federal and state regulations aim to allow access to therapeutic use while preventing diversion.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder. Evidence includes:

  • 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for methadone patients
  • 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment long-term
  • Retention in methadone treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV and hepatitis C transmission, and unemployment while increasing employment

However, methadone does carry some risks:

  • Potential for misuse/diversion for those not opioid-dependent
  • Severe withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly after dependence develops
  • Possible QTc prolongation or other cardiac issues
  • Respiratory depression or overdose risk when combined with certain substances

Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use and retaining people in treatment.

In conclusion, methadone provides substantial benefits but also some risks requiring careful management.

About New York

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

New York is located in the northeastern United States. It is bordered by:

It comprises 62 counties, with New York County being the most densely populated.

Capital and Largest City

The capital of New York State is Albany. However, the largest city is New York City.

Land Area

The total area of New York State is 54,556 square miles.

Infrastructure

New York is a big city with local government and public services.

Population Statistics

Total Population

As of the 2020 census, the population of New York State was 20,201,249. Over 8 million residents live in New York City alone.

Demographics

Gender

Approximately 51% of the population is female and 49% male.

Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 21%
  • 18 to 65 years: 61%
  • Over 65 years: 18%

Occupations

Popular occupations include:

  • Management, business, science, and arts: 39%
  • Sales and office: 24%
  • Service: 18%
  • Production, transportation, and material moving: 11%
  • Natural resources, construction, maintenance: 8%