| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Department of Addiction Medicine | 2400 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97305 | (503) 361-5400 |
| Marion County Adult Alcohol and Drug Treatment Service | 2035 Davcor Street SE Salem, OR 97301 | |
| Marion County Health Department Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program | 3180 Center Street NE Room 2274 Salem, OR 97301 | (503) 588-5358 |
| Valley Professional Counseling | 742 Hawthorne Street NE Salem, OR 97301 | (503) 370-9200 |
| Willamette Valley Treatment Center Inc | 115 Lancaster Drive Northeast Salem, OR 97301 |
Rules and Regulations
Salem, Marion County adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Oregon Health Authority. All clinics must be certified and accredited.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must meet certification standards for opioid treatment programs set by SAMHSA. This includes guidelines for patient admission, treatment planning, counseling, drug testing, diversion control, and more.
- Clinics must also be accredited by an organization approved by SAMHSA. Common accreditors are the Joint Commission, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and the Council on Accreditation (COA).
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medications coupled with counseling and behavioral therapies can improve outcomes for people with opioid use disorder. Benefits include reducing opioid use, overdose deaths, infectious disease transmission, and criminal activity.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Clinics provide methadone doses for patients to help reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The goal is to mitigate the effects of opioid dependence in a structured setting. Patients receive counseling and treatment planning along with their medication.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid and Medicare may cover methadone treatment. Some private insurers also provide coverage, but this varies by plan.
Free Clinics
Some clinics offer sliding-scale fees or no-cost treatment based on a patient’s income level and other factors. These are often funded by grants, public health programs, and other subsidies.
Drug Use in Salem
Oregon has one of the highest rates of prescription opioid misuse in the country. In 2017, Gov. Kate Brown declared the opioid epidemic a public health crisis.
- Over 800 Oregonians died from overdoses in 2021, a 41% increase from 2017
Top substances involved in overdoses:
- Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids
- Heroin
- Methamphetamine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typically 28 days, but can range from 3 days to 6+ months
- 24/7 medical care and counseling
- Detoxification, behavioral therapies, medication
Outpatient Treatment
- Varies from 1-5 days per week for several hours per day
- Provided at clinics, health centers, etc.
- Group and individual therapy, medication management
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 30-40% of Oregonians needing treatment don’t receive it
Comparison of Treatment in Salem vs. Portland
| Category | Salem | Portland |
| Number of treatment facilities | 25 | 63 |
| Inpatient beds available | 306 | 1,176 |
| Cost of 30 days inpatient treatment | $15,000 | $30,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It works by activating the opioid receptors in the brain, preventing withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with discontinuing problem opioid use. Methadone is taken orally once daily and prescribed through a federally regulated opioid treatment program (OTP). Patients must visit a clinic daily to receive their dose.
Methadone binds to the opioid receptors, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms for 24-36 hours. This allows patients to focus on recovery without being impaired or intoxicated. It provides a consistent level of medication in the body, allowing for normal functioning. The goal is stabilization and harm reduction rather than abstinence.
There is a stigma around methadone treatment, viewing it as “replacing one drug with another.” However, research shows methadone saves lives and improves outcomes when prescribed correctly. It is an essential treatment option for opioid addiction.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is heavily regulated with required monitoring to prevent misuse and ensure patient safety:
- Urine Testing: Patients must undergo random urine drug screening at least 8 times in the first year of treatment to ensure they are not using other opioids or abusing other substances. Positive drug screens can result in dose adjustments or lost take-home privileges.
- Take-Home Doses: Patients must follow program rules to earn take-home doses. In the first 14 days, the maximum take-home supply is 24 hours of medication. Over time, up to 1 month of take-home doses can be earned for stable patients who meet the criteria.
- Monitoring: OTPs are required to have an interdisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to coordinate care. Dosing must be monitored and adjusted carefully to avoid under- or over-medication.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s PDMP data regularly when prescribing methadone to ensure safe dosing and prevent dangerous drug interactions.
In Oregon, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance available only through OTPs. The DEA and state authorities monitor distribution and penalize diversion.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT option that reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and criminal behavior when prescribed correctly.
Evidence shows participants on methadone maintenance have:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times higher treatment retention rates
- Reduced risk of overdose and disease transmission through injection drug use
- Increased employment opportunities with reduced criminal activity
However, some risks require careful monitoring:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- QTc prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias
- Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing opioid use and supporting recovery.
With structure, support, and monitoring, methadone is a well-established medication for opioid addiction treatment.
About Salem
Salem is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located in Marion County, with the Willamette River flowing through it. Salem is bordered by the states of Washington to the north, California to the south, Idaho to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Marion County
Neighboring states:
- Washington
- California
- Idaho
Capital and Largest City
Salem is the capital and second-largest city in Oregon after Portland.
Land Area
The land area of Salem is 48.45 square miles.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Salem is estimated to be around 175,000 as of 2019.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 22%
- 18 to 65 years: 59%
- Over 65 years: 19%
Occupations
The largest industries in Salem are healthcare, trade, transportation and utilities, and manufacturing. Common occupations include office administration, sales, food preparation and service, healthcare, production, and transportation.
