Methadone Clinics in Cary

Rules and Regulations

Cary, Wake County, North Carolina, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. Clinics must be licensed and accredited to provide methadone treatment.

Certification Procedures

To be certified, methadone clinics in Cary must:

• Be inspected and licensed by the state
• Employ qualified staff including a program physician, nurses, and counselors
• Provide counseling and other services in addition to medication
• Maintain detailed patient records
• Follow federal and state regulations for dispensing methadone

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone maintenance treatment provides:

• Reduction or elimination of opioid withdrawal
• Reduction in opioid cravings
• Improved health and social functioning
• Reduced risk of overdose and transmitting infections

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to treat opioid addiction. The medication prevents withdrawal symptoms for 24-36 hours. Patients must visit clinics daily to receive treatment under supervision. The clinics offer counseling and support services to help patients recover.

Insurance Coverage

Medicaid and many private insurance plans cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer services on a sliding fee scale based on income for uninsured patients.

Drug Use in Cary

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency.

• In 2020, North Carolina had 3,304 drug overdose deaths, a 45% increase from 2015. Opioids were involved in 78% of those deaths.
• The top 3 substances involved in overdose deaths in NC: Fentanyl (1,496), Heroin (567), Cocaine (544).

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves round-the-clock care at a residential facility for 30 days on average. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, nutrition planning, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides 9-12 hours of services per week while living at home. It includes counseling, support groups, medication management, and relapse prevention education.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of people receive treatment through self-help groups or other care not reported to state agencies.

Comparison of Treatment in Cary vs. Raleigh

Methadone Treatment

 What is Methadone

Methadone is an opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to treat opioid use disorder. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This allows patients to focus on recovery without experiencing severe discomfort.

From a societal viewpoint, methadone treatment aims to improve public health outcomes related to opioid addiction. It enables patients to function normally, hold jobs, and reduce their risk of overdose or disease transmission. However, some still view methadone treatment negatively as “replacing one drug with another.” While not a cure-all, it is an evidence-based treatment supported by decades of medical research.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is heavily regulated with required adherence to state and federal guidelines:

• Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year of treatment to ensure they are not using other opioids.
• Take-Home Requirements: Patients must follow program rules to earn take-home doses. During the first 14 days, the take-home supply is limited to a single daily dose.
• Monitoring: Methadone clinics utilize an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to monitor patient progress.
• Prescription Monitoring: Clinicians check the North Carolina Controlled Substances Reporting System to carefully calibrate methadone doses, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.

The state of North Carolina classifies methadone as a Schedule II Controlled Substance. The city of Cary follows state guidelines for methadone distribution.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies demonstrate methadone’s effectiveness:

Evidence for Effectiveness

Research shows methadone MAT reduces opioid use, infectious disease transmission, and drug-related criminal behavior. Methadone patients have 33% fewer opioid-positive urine tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment long-term compared to placebo. Retaining patients in treatment lowers overdose risk, disease transmission, and increases employment.

Major Drawbacks

However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation raising cardiac issue risks, respiratory depression/overdose danger when combined with other central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines or alcohol.

Comparison to Other Medications

Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use.
While not without risks requiring careful oversight, methadone’s benefits are well-proven.

About Cary

Cary is located in Wake County in the state of North Carolina, United States. It borders the states of Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Location, County & Neighboring States

• Virginia
• Tennessee
• Georgia
• South Carolina

Capital & Largest City

The capital and largest city in North Carolina is Raleigh.

Land Area

The land area of Cary is 55.3 square miles.

Infrastructure

Cary has a developed infrastructure that includes:

• Public transportation system
• Utilities Access
• Community services
• Educational institutes
• Healthcare facilities
• Commercial areas

Population Statistics

Total Population: 162,426 (2019 estimate)

Demographics

Gender

• Female: 51.1%
• Male: 48.9%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 26.2%
• 18 to 65 years: 63.5%
• Over 65 years: 10.3%

Occupations

Top occupations are management, sales, office administration jobs, food preparation & production jobs.