Rules and Regulations
Okmulgee, Okmulgee County adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular inspections are conducted
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Facilitates recovery by allowing patients to focus on counseling and lifestyle changes
- Lowers risk of overdose death
- Improves social functioning and quality of life
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to those with opioid use disorder. Clinics offer:
- Methadone dosing under medical supervision
- Behavioral counseling and therapy
- Health evaluations
- Referrals to community resources
The goal is to mitigate withdrawal symptoms while supporting long-term recovery.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment
- Some private insurers cover treatment; coverage varies
- State-funded and free clinics available for uninsured
Drug Use in Okmulgee
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Oklahoma specifically:
- There were 702 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020
- Prescription opioids are involved in more than half of all overdose deaths
The most commonly abused substances in Okmulgee County are:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Prescription pain relievers
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehab facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment consists of periodic services for 4-8 hours a week while the patient lives at home. Services may include counseling, group therapy, medication management, and recovery coaching.
Treatment Level Unreported
Over 3,000 Oklahomans received unreported levels of care for drug addiction in 2020. This likely includes a mix of inpatient and outpatient services.
Comparison of Treatment Options
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Okmulgee, OK | 3 | 48 | $5,000-20,000 |
| Tulsa, OK | 25 | 300 | $15,000-30,000 |
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 to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms in those with opioid use disorder. It allows one to regain stability and function in their daily lives.
Mechanism as medication-assisted treatment, OTP principle
- Activates opioid receptors enough to prevent withdrawal and drug cravings without producing a “high”
- Administered orally once daily in OTPs/clinics
- Allows those with opioid addiction to regain normal function
- The goals are to stop illicit opioid use, improve health, reduce crime/overdoses
Opinions on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) vary. Some view it positively as an effective treatment that saves lives and reduces the societal costs of addiction. Others negatively as “swapping one drug for another” without fully addressing the root causes of addiction. Stigmas remain and education on the merits of MAT is needed.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication. In the correct dose, it stops drug cravings and withdrawal in those addicted to short-acting opioids like heroin or pain pills without causing a “high”. This helps people stabilize their lives and reduce the dangers of ongoing illicit opioid addiction.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone access is strictly regulated with regular patient monitoring to prevent misuse while allowing effective treatment delivery:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment. This ensures patients are taking their prescribed doses and not using other illicit drugs.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a 24-hour dose taken daily at the clinic. Over periods of good behavior and program compliance, take-home doses can incrementally increase but remain capped based on patient progress.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an expert interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, etc. to monitor patient progress. This team-based approach is critical for successful outcomes.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications. Methadone has risks if combined with other sedating substances due to a narrow therapeutic window.
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 illicit opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Improves treatment retention 4.44 times over non-medication approaches
- Retention in treatment reduces disease transmission risks through ongoing illicit IV opioid use
- Retention supports increased employment
Major Drawbacks
Potential issues include:
- Misuse/diversion risks requiring clinic daily dosing structure
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other sedating drugs like benzodiazepines or alcohol
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone is equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use, based on studies.
While not without risks requiring careful administration through specialized treatment programs, the benefits of methadone for treating opioid use disorder are well established.
About Okmulgee
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Okmulgee is located in Okmulgee County in east central Oklahoma. It is surrounded by the states of:
Capital and Largest City
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city in the state of Oklahoma.
Land Area
Okmulgee has a total area of 17.2 square miles.
Infrastructure
Okmulgee has a council-manager form of government. The major highways serving the city are U.S. Route 75 and State Highway 56.
Population Statistics
The population of Okmulgee was an estimated 11,997 in 2019.
Demographics
Gender
There is a near-equal split of males (48.8%) and females (51.2%) in Okmulgee.
Age Brackets
27.3% of the population is under age 18. 61.1% fall between ages 18-65. 11.6% are over the age of 65.
Occupations
The top occupations in Okmulgee are management, sales, office/administrative support, production, healthcare, transportation, construction, maintenance, and education.
