Methadone Clinics in Tulsa

Rules and Regulations

Tulsa, Oklahoma adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Certification Procedures

• Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
• Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
• Regular facility inspections conducted

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone helps individuals with opioid addiction by:

• Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
• Blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids
• Reducing cravings for opioids
• Allowing patients to focus on counseling and make positive changes

How Clinics Operate

Methadone clinics provide MAT services to those with opioid use disorder. Services include:

• Methadone dosing
• Individual and group counseling
• Case management
• Peer support

The goal is to help patients achieve sobriety and become productive members of society.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept:

• Medicaid
• Private insurance
• Self-pay options

Some clinics offer treatment at little or no cost based on patient needs. Public funding is available in some cases.

Drug Use in Tulsa

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Oklahoma, drug overdoses increased by 13% from 2019 to 2020. The most commonly abused substances in the state are:

• Prescription opioids – involved in 58% of overdose deaths
• Methamphetamine – involved in 34% of overdose deaths
• Heroin – involved in 15% of overdose deaths

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehab facility for 24/7 support and monitoring. Programs typically last 30-90 days. Services include medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows patients to live at home while attending treatment sessions 1-5 days per week for 1-6 hours a day. Services are similar to inpatient but on a part-time schedule. Locations include clinics, counselor offices, and community health centers.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-15% of Oklahomans struggling with addiction do not seek treatment from reporting facilities. Reasons may include cost, stigma, or lack of accessibility. Some may attempt recovery without professional treatment.

Comparison of Tulsa and Oklahoma City Treatment Options

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 helps treat opioid use disorder by preventing withdrawal symptoms and blocking the euphoric effects of other opioid drugs.

As an MAT, methadone relieves drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms without creating a high, allowing people to focus on their recovery. OTPs provide methadone doses each day under medical supervision.

Some view methadone treatment as simply replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows MAT helps people control opioid addiction, stop dangerous and illegal activities, and improve their health and social functioning.

Methadone Distribution

Description of monitoring and regulations:

• Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure appropriate use.
• Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply that patients take under supervision.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs have an interprofessional team overseeing dosing and providing counseling.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians review prescription data to carefully manage methadone’s dosing, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.

Tulsa State Drug Classifications Controlled Substances

• Schedule I: Heroin, LSD, Marijuana, Ecstasy
• Schedule II: OxyContin, Methadone, Adderall, Ritalin
• Schedule III: Tylenol with Codeine, Ketamine, Anabolic Steroids
• Schedule IV: Xanax, Soma, Darvocet, Valium
• Schedule V: Robitussin AC, Lomotil, Lyrica

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 treatments. Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease transmission risk and increases employment.

However, methadone does have risks requiring careful management, including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation/cardiac issues, and respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances. Methadone is equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use. Benefits must be weighed against risks.

About Tulsa

Tulsa is a city located in Tulsa County in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.

Location, Tulsa County & Neighboring States

Tulsa is situated in northeast Oklahoma. Tulsa County borders the following states:

• Arkansas
• Kansas
• Missouri

The largest city and capital of Oklahoma is Oklahoma City.

Land Area

Tulsa has a total area of 186.8 square miles.

Infrastructure

Tulsa has an international airport and developed land, air, and rail transport facilities connecting it to other parts of the country.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Tulsa’s population to be 401,190 as of 2020.

Demographics

Gender

• Male: 50.5%
• Female: 49.5%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 22.6%
• 18 to 64 years: 62.3%
• 65 years and over: 15.1%

Occupations

The top occupations in Tulsa are:

• Management, business, science, and arts: 33.2%
• Sales and office: 24.7%
• Service: 18.2%
• Production, transportation, and material moving: 13.5%