Methadone Clinics in Portland

Name rehabsAddressPhone
Allied Health Services2600 SE Belmont Street Portland, OR 97214(503) 239-5738
Allied Health Services East 16141 E. Burnside Street Portland, OR 97233
Allied Heatlh Services East16141 East Burnside Street Portland, OR 97233(503) 252-3949
CODA Inc1027 East Burnside Street Portland, OR 97214(503) 239-8400
CODA Inc Portland Recovery Center 1030 NE Couch Street Portland, OR 97214
CRC Health Alder Clinic 808 SW Alder Street Suite 300 Portland, OR 97205
CRC Health Belmont Clinic 2600 SE Belmont Street Portland, OR 97214
CRC Health dba Allied Health Services808 SW Alder Street Suite 300 Portland, OR 97205(503) 226-2203
Kaiser Permanente Department of Addiction Medicine3325 North Interstate Avenue Portland, OR 97227(503) 249-3434
OHSU Behavioral Health Clinic621 SW Alder Street Suite 520 Portland, OR 97205(503) 494-4745

Rules and Regulations

Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Certification Procedures

  • Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and accredited by an independent body.
  • Staff must complete comprehensive training and licensing.
  • Facilities must meet stringent safety and security standards.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medications relieve withdrawal symptoms and reduce opioid cravings.

Medication-assisted treatment has been shown to:

  • Lower risk of overdose death
  • Reduce transmission of infectious diseases
  • Improve social functioning and quality of life

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide monitored doses of methadone to treat opioid addiction. The medication blocks the effects of opioids and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In addition to dispensing methadone, clinics offer counseling and connect patients to other social and medical services.

Insurance Coverage

  • Many clinics accept Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) coverage. Some also take private insurance or offer sliding-scale fees based on income.
  • Free or low-cost methadone treatment is available from organizations like Central City Concern and Outside In. Public funding helps cover costs for uninsured patients.

Drug Use in Portland

Oregon declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017. According to the Oregon Health Authority, opioid overdose deaths increased:

  • 130% from 2011 to 2015
  • 866 Oregonians died from opioid overdoses in 2020
  • Fentanyl contributed to 71% of overdose deaths in 2020

Other commonly used substances in Oregon include:

  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Methamphetamine
  • Cocaine
  • Heroin

Addiction Treatment Overview in Portland

Inpatient Treatment

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

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides services for several hours a day, several days a week, allowing the person to live at home. It includes counseling, group therapy, medication management, and recovery support.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of Oregonians with substance abuse disorders do not report their treatment level. Reasons may include perceived stigma, confidentiality concerns, or treatment through unconventional centers.

Comparison of Portland, OR vs. Seattle, WA

CriteriasPortland, ORSeattle, WA
Treatment Centers11298
Inpatient Beds8501,150
Cost of Treatment$10,000-$30,000$15,000-$40,000

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent opioid withdrawal and drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain like other opioid drugs, but it does so in a slower, less euphoric way. Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) provide methadone doses daily for patients to take orally under clinical supervision.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment explain both the benefits and risks involved. When used properly, methadone allows patients to function normally and reduce high-risk behavior. However, methadone does have the potential for misuse and diversion given its nature as an opioid. Careful monitoring and responsible community education help maximize benefits while minimizing harm.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution operates under tight federal and state regulations to ensure patient and community safety:

  • Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unauthorized substance use.
  • Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to just a 24-hour dose. After 90 days of compliance, patients may earn a maximum one-week supply at once.
  • Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to oversee dosing and overall care.
  • Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference any other opioid medications and titrate methadone dosage given its narrow therapeutic window.

In Portland, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance overseen by the Oregon Health Authority and regulated by local ordinances under Multnomah County and the City of Portland.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when properly managed in methadone maintenance treatment.

Evidence for Effectiveness

  • 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for patients on methadone therapy
  • 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication approaches
  • Retention in methadone treatment reduces overdose mortality risk by 50% and HIV risk behaviors by 54% while increasing employment by 10%

Major Drawbacks

  • Potential for misuse/diversion from OTPs
  • Severe withdrawal if methadone treatment is stopped suddenly
  • Possible QTc prolongation or cardiac arrhythmia issues
  • Respiratory depression or overdose risk when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants

Comparison to Other Medications

Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use based on clinical trials.

Methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring careful management under OTPs.

About Portland

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Portland is located in Multnomah County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Oregon borders the following states:

Capital and Largest City

Salem is the capital of Oregon, while Portland is the largest city in Oregon.

Land Area

Portland covers an area of 145 square miles.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Portland is 652,503 as of 2021.

Gender

  • Male: 50.8%
  • Female: 49.2%

Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 16.3%
  • 18 to 64 years: 69.3%
  • 65 years and over: 14.4%

Occupations

The top occupations in Portland are:

  • Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 47.3%
  • Sales and office occupations: 26.2%
  • Service occupations: 16.2%
  • Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 10.3%