Methadone Clinics in Akron

Rules and Regulations

Akron, Summit County, and the state of Ohio adhere to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics and medication-assisted treatment programs. These regulations aim to ensure effective and ethical treatment practices.

Certification Procedures

All methadone clinics must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and licensed by the state. Clinics must meet standards of care and are subject to regular auditing and inspections.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment with methadone has been shown to:

• Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
• Lower transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis
• Assist patients in achieving sobriety and lifestyle stability

How Clinics Operate

Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and comprehensive support services to treat opioid use disorder. The goal is to help patients achieve long-term recovery.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Some clinics offer sliding-scale fees or state-funded treatment for low-income residents. Those without insurance can inquire about financial assistance and payment plans.

Drug Use in Akron

Ohio has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, with drug overdoses declared a statewide public health emergency. Key statistics for Summit County and Akron include:

• Overdose deaths in Summit County increased from 296 in 2015 to 326 in 2016, a 10% rise
• Akron saw 191 overdose deaths in 2016, up from 172 the prior year
• The most commonly used substances involved in overdoses are fentanyl analogs, heroin, cocaine, and prescription opioids

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

• Typical length of stay is 28 days
• Services include medical detoxification, individual and group counseling, medication management, aftercare planning

Outpatient Treatment

• Held at facilities 2-3 times per week for several hours per visit
• Includes counseling, therapy, medication management

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-25% of addicts in the county receive some form of treatment based on statewide data

Comparison of Treatment in Akron vs. Cleveland

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. Some view it positively as a harm reduction approach, while others see it as merely substituting one opioid for another. In layman’s terms, methadone maintenance therapy provides stable daily doses to avoid the highs and lows of opioid misuse.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is highly regulated with monitoring requirements:

• Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight urine drug tests in the first year to detect illicit drug use.
• Take-home doses: For the first 14 days, take-home methadone is limited to a one-day supply. After that, take-homes increase incrementally for compliant patients.
• Interprofessional monitoring: Methadone clinics should have teams of doctors, nurses, and counselors to oversee treatment.
• Prescription cross-checks: Clinicians should review prescription records to carefully coordinate methadone doses, due to its narrow therapeutic window.

Local methadone regulations align with federal and state guidelines for controlled substances.

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 had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication approaches. Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, and disease transmission, 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. Careful patient selection and monitoring are required to maximize benefits and minimize harm.

About Akron

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Akron is located in northeast Ohio in Summit County. The states bordering Ohio are:

• Michigan
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania

Capital and Largest City

Columbus is the capital and largest city in Ohio.

Land Area

Akron covers a total land area of 62.37 square miles.

Infrastructure

Akron has a council-manager form of government. Key infrastructure includes an international airport, extensive highway access, freight rail service, and public transportation.

Population Statistics

Total Population

Akron has an estimated population of 198,006 as of 2019.

Demographics

Gender

• Male: 93,312
• Female: 104,694

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 22.3%
• 18 to 64 years: 61.5%
• 65 years and over: 16.2%

Occupations

Major occupations in Akron are in education, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail trade. Over 80% of the population works in the private sector.