Rules and Regulations
Corolla and Currituck County adhere to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. These regulations aim to ensure safe, effective, and ethical treatment practices.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and licensed by the state.
- Staff must meet educational and training requirements. Clinics are routinely inspected.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- MAT with methadone helps people with opioid addiction stop or greatly reduce use and overdose risk.
- It supports stabilization, improved health, and ability to function.
How Clinics Operate
- Clinics provide methadone doses for addiction treatment. Doses are taken orally once daily under supervision.
- Counseling services help clients work toward recovery goals. Frequent urine testing checks for continued opioid use.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid and Medicare may cover methadone treatment costs. Many private insurers also provide some coverage.
- Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without insurance. Grants assist uninsured clients at some nonprofit clinics.
Drug Use in Corolla
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in 2020 there were over 2,500 opioid-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths across the state each month.
Specific statistics for illicit drug use and overdoses in Corolla and Currituck County are unavailable in government data sources. However, the wider Northeast region of North Carolina has concerning rates of prescription opioid misuse. Efforts are being made at local and state levels to expand access to addiction treatment and recovery services.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehab facility 24/7 for 1-3 months. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment consists of periodic services for several hours a day, allowing the person to live at home. Services can include therapy, support groups, and medication management.
Treatment Level Unreported
Many people access treatment through primary care doctors, self-help groups and other community services. Detailed data is unavailable but estimates suggest this is a significant proportion.
Comparison of Treatment in Corolla vs. Norfolk
| Location | Treatment Centers | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Corolla, NC | None found | None found | Unable to determine |
| Norfolk, VA | 12 | 356 | $15,000+ for 30 days |
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 euphoric effects if other opioids are taken. Methadone treatment programs provide the medication along with counseling and other services in what is known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and the opioid treatment program (OTP) model.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. Some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone enables stabilization, reduces illegal opioid use and overdose deaths, and allows people to improve their health and social functioning. Essentially, it provides time for counseling to work by easing withdrawal and craving symptoms. The key is an adequate dose matched to individual needs.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is carefully regulated with required monitoring to prevent misuse:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure other non-prescribed opioids are not being taken.
- 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 with provider supervision to prevent misuse.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including nursing and counseling staff to monitor patient progress and coordinate care needs.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference opioid dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk increases when combined with other substances.
In North Carolina, methadone is a Schedule II controlled medication available only through approved OTPs.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces illegal opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when properly monitored:
Evidence for Effectiveness
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for people on methadone versus no medication
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication therapies
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk and disease transmission while increasing employment
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse/diversion if not properly monitored
- Severe withdrawal symptoms if methadone is stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation or cardiac arrhythmia risk
- Respiratory depression or overdose risk when combined with alcohol or other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illegal opioid use and enabling stabilization.
In conclusion, methadone provides benefits but also risks requiring careful management.
About Corolla
Corolla is a census-designated place located in Currituck County in the state of North Carolina in the United States.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Located in Currituck County. Neighboring states:
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city of North Carolina is Raleigh.
Land Area
The total land area of Corolla CDP is 17.9 square miles.
Infrastructure
Main road access is via NC 12.
Population Statistics
The total population of Corolla CDP is 685 as of the 2010 census.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 51.1%
- Female: 48.9%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 19.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 73.3%
- 65 years and over: 7.3%
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 32.8%
- Service occupations: 27.3%
- Sales and office occupations: 16.4%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 13.3%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 10.2%
