Methadone Clinics in Dayton

Rules and Regulations

Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of dispensing and dosing of methadone.

Certification Procedures

To operate legally in Ohio, methadone clinics must:

• Be accredited and certified by SAMHSA
• Renew certification with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services every 3 years
• Follow strict security, dosing, and record-keeping protocols

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone maintenance treatment provides:

• Reduced illicit opioid drug use and criminal activity
• Improved social functioning and ability to gain employment
• Lower risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder. Patients visit daily to receive methadone doses until they can transition to more moderate treatment. The goal is to curb withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Uninsured patients pay out-of-pocket, often on an income-based sliding scale. Some clinics offer treatment at little or no cost to those in need. Public funding also helps offset treatment costs.

Drug Use in Dayton

The opioid crisis declared a public health emergency

• In 2017, Ohio had the 2nd highest rate of opioid overdose deaths involving opioids in the U.S.
• Montgomery County declared a public health emergency for the opioid epidemic in 2017

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

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

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending counseling sessions and group meetings 3-5 times per week for several hours a day initially. It utilizes similar therapeutic approaches as inpatients.

Treatment Level Unreported

Around 9% of treatment facilities did not specify their treatment level in Ohio according to SAMHSA. It is estimated two-thirds are outpatient programs.

Comparison of Treatment in Dayton vs. Toledo

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a synthetic opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, called opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and blocks cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It is a long-acting medication taken once daily.

Mechanism as Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone works by occupying opioid receptors, preventing withdrawal and drug cravings. By providing stable opioid levels, it allows patients to function without impairment and focus on recovery. Regular dosing is required due to its short half-life. OTPs provide counseling and require urine drug screening to promote accountability and comprehensive treatment.

Societal Perspectives

Though an evidence-based treatment, methadone maintenance sometimes carries stigma. Some view it as “trading one drug for another.” However, research shows methadone improves outcomes better than abstinence-only programs while preventing crime, overdose, and disease transmission. Most patients require 2-5 years for stabilization and tapering.

Methadone is essentially a replacement opioid that tricks the brain and prevents the “highs” and “lows” of substance use, allowing more normal functioning. Taken under medical supervision, it provides a path to sobriety.

Methadone Distribution

• Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure other illicit substance use is not occurring which could be dangerous.
• Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply which the patient must ingest daily under observation at the OTP to properly monitor compliance and safe dosage levels.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team comprised of physicians, nurses, counselors, and social workers monitoring each patient’s progress and coordinating care needs.
• Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to cross-reference other opioid medications and carefully titrate methadone dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.

Dayton State Drug Classifications

•  Marijuana – Schedule I
•  Cocaine – Schedule II
•  Oxycodone – Schedule II
•  Alprazolam – Schedule IV

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.

Evidence for Effectiveness

Studies show methadone treatment reduces opioid use based on drug testing analysis. Patients on MAT have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. MAT also increases retention in treatment up to 4.44 times more likely than non-medication approaches. Retention is essential because it lowers disease transmission risks through ongoing client monitoring, counseling, and access to health services. Staying in treatment also reduces the likelihood of overdose death and criminal behavior while improving employment opportunities.

Major Drawbacks

Methadone does carry risks including the potential for misuse/diversion given its street value. Stopping suddenly leads to difficult withdrawal symptoms. Some patients develop QTc prolongation or other cardiac issues requiring ECG monitoring. Especially risky is respiratory depression or overdose when methadone is combined with alcohol or other sedatives. Careful daily dosing and oversight by licensed providers aim to prevent such adverse events.

Comparison to Other Medications

Research suggests methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use based on drug testing and self-reports.

While not without some risk, methadone’s benefits outweigh the harms of treating opioid addiction when carefully managed.

About Dayton

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Dayton is located in western Ohio in Montgomery County. Neighboring states are Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Capital and Largest City

The capital and largest city in Ohio is Columbus. However, Dayton is the county seat of Montgomery County.

Land Area

Montgomery County covers 462 square miles of land area.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The total population of Montgomery County is around 531,687 people according to recent census data.

Demographics:

Gender

The gender demographics in Montgomery County are about 51% female and 49% male.

Age Brackets

Common age brackets in the county include:

• 18% under age 18
• 30% ages 25-44
• 22% ages 45-64
• 15% over age 65

Occupations

Major occupations in the Dayton area include:

• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Retail
• Education
• Technology