| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sojourner Home | 449 North 3rd Street Hamilton, OH 45011 | (513) 868-0544 |
| Sojourner Home Herland Family Center | 516 High Street Hamilton, OH 45011 | (513) 868-1536 |
| Sojourner Recovery Services | 1430 University Boulevard Hamilton, OH 45011 | (513) 887-0300 |
Rules and Regulations
Hamilton and Butler County, Ohio have strict regulations for methadone clinics and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services Department. All clinics must be certified by SAMHSA.
Certification Procedures
To be certified, methadone clinics must:
- Adhere to federal and state regulations
- Employ licensed and credentialed staff
- Maintain detailed patient records
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT with methadone has been shown to:
- Reduce opioid withdrawal and cravings
- Allow people to regain healthy function
- Lower the risk of overdose death
How Clinics Operate
Certified methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing, counseling, and wraparound services to support recovery.
Insurance Coverage
Most clinics accept:
Free Clinics
Few options exist for uninsured patients
Public and Private Insurance
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Most private health insurance plans
Drug Use in Hamilton
The Opioid Crisis Declared a Public Health Emergency
- In 2017, Gov. John Doe declared an opioid epidemic state of emergency
- From 2015-2018 Butler County saw a 115% increase in overdose deaths
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- Fentanyl (75%)
- Heroin (15%)
- Prescription opioids (10%)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at a treatment facility 24/7 for 30-90 days
- Services include counseling, group therapy, medication
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend sessions 1-5 times per week, typically 3 hours per visit
- Services are provided at clinics, community health centers, etc.
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 18% of patients do not report treatment level
- Likely a mix of inpatient and outpatient services
Comparison of Treatment in Hamilton vs. Cincinnati
| Category | Hamilton | Cincinnati |
| Treatment Centers | 15 | 37 |
| Inpatient Beds | 120 | 540 |
| Cost of Treatment per Week | $7,500 | $10,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It activates opioid receptors in the brain, blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid taken orally once daily. It relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This allows patients to focus on counseling, vocational training, family therapy, and other support. The goal is to restore functioning and reduce illicit opioid use.
Some view methadone treatment as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows MAT with methadone improves outcomes vs abstinence-only approaches. MAT has support from major medical organizations as the gold standard of care. Stigma remains a barrier.
Methadone is an opioid medicine that tricks the brain into thinking it’s still getting the problem opioid. This stops withdrawals and cravings. Taken once daily in pill/liquid form. Lasts 24+ hours. Allows patients to function and focus on counseling and support. Not a perfect solution but improves outcomes. Stigma is a major issue.
Methadone Distribution
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure no illicit opioid use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply. More take-home doses are allowed over time with demonstrated progress.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, etc. to provide comprehensive support.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully manage dosing, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and a risk of overdose when combined with other substances.
In Ohio, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, requiring record-keeping and prescriptions. Illicit use is a felony.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. Methadone patients have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease transmission risk and increases employment.
Major Drawbacks
Potential for misuse/diversion exists. Severe withdrawal symptoms occur if stopped suddenly. Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues. Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with other substances.
Comparison to Other Medications
About Hamilton
Location, County & Neighboring States
Hamilton is located in southwest Ohio in Butler County. It borders the states of Indiana and Kentucky.
Capital and Largest City
Columbus is the capital and largest city in Ohio.
Land Area
Hamilton has a total area of 10.49 square miles, all land.
Infrastructure
- Roads: Main roads include SR 129, SR 127, SR 4 Bypass
- Rail: Served by CSX Transportation
- Air: The nearest airport is Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Hamilton was 62,244 as of the 2020 census.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 49.2%
- Female: 50.8%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 22.1%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.7%
- 65 years and over: 18.2%
Occupations
Top occupations in Hamilton include:
- Production: 13.2%
- Office and administrative support: 12.5%
- Sales related: 11.4%
- Food preparation and serving: 8.8%
- Healthcare practitioners and technicians: 8.5%
