Methadone Clinics in Syracuse

Rules and Regulations

Syracuse 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).

Certification Procedures

Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by OASAS. Certification requires adhering to strict federal guidelines on treatment approaches, facility safety, dispensing medications, and more.

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
• Lowers risk of overdose and associated health issues

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to those with opioid use disorder. Patients receive methadone doses daily under medical supervision. The purpose is to aid recovery and prevent relapse without experiencing painful withdrawal symptoms. Counseling is also offered to help patients change behaviors and cope with life’s challenges.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Those without insurance may qualify for state funding or clinic payment plans based on income.

Drug Use in Syracuse

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Onondaga County specifically:

• There were 308 drug overdose deaths in 2021, an 18% increase from 2020 (Source: Onondaga County Medical Examiner)
• The overdose death rate per 100,000 residents was 34.7 in 2021, compared to 26.7 nationally (Source: CDC)

The most commonly used substances in the county are:

• Opioids – mainly fentanyl and heroin
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient facilities provide round-the-clock supervised care including detoxification, individual and group counseling, medication management, and discharge planning. The average length of stay is 30 days.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient programs offer similar services but allow the person to live at home. The frequency of services ranges from 1-5 days per week for 1-2 hours per day. Locations are throughout the county.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 18% of those receiving treatment in Onondaga County are in programs not report their exact service level to authorities.

Comparison of Treatment in Syracuse vs. Rochester and Buffalo

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 blocking the euphoric effects of illicit opioids. Methadone treatment programs provide the medication along with counseling and other services in what is known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Often called opioid treatment programs (OTPs), these tightly regulated programs aim to stabilize patients, reduce illicit opioid use and transmission of associated diseases, and help patients work toward recovery goals.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it does help many struggling with addiction, some view it as merely substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows methadone helps patients function normally, avoid risky behaviors, and improve their health when properly managed.

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 they are taking their prescribed dose and not using other opioids.
• Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply that must be ingested on-site under supervision to prevent misuse. After meeting certain criteria, patients can gradually earn take-home doses.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, and social workers monitoring patient progress.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference opioid dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic index.

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

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. Patients on methadone have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which reduces overdose risk and increases employment.

However, methadone does carry risks including the potential for misuse and diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation and cardiac issues, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other substances.

It is equally as effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use but requires more intensive monitoring. Benefits must be weighed against risks requiring careful management.

About Syracuse

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Syracuse is located in Onondaga County in central New York State. It borders the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Ontario, Canada.

Capital and Largest City

Albany is the capital of New York, while New York City is the largest city. Syracuse is the 5th most populous city in New York.

Land Area

The land area of Syracuse is 25.6 square miles. Onondaga County covers 780 square miles. The state of New York spans 54,556 square miles.

Infrastructure

Syracuse contains:

• 2 interstate highways (I-81 and I-690)
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport
• Centro bus system
• Amtrak passenger train station

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Syracuse is 143,396 as of 2021. Onondaga County has a population of 460,528. New York State has over 20 million residents.

Demographics

Gender

Syracuse population is 51% female and 49% male.

Age Brackets

Over 15% of city residents are aged 18 years or below. Around 64% fall in the age group of 18 to 65 years. About 21% are aged 65 years or older.

Occupations

Top occupations are in education, healthcare, retail, food services, manufacturing, etc. The unemployment rate is 5.3% as of June 2022.