| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery House | 99 South Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 | (717) 233-7290 |
| Discovery House Harrisburg | 99 South Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 | |
| Gaudenzia Inc Common Ground | 2835 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 | (717) 238-5553 |
Rules and Regulations
Harrisburg adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state.
- Staff must meet educational and training requirements.
- Regular facility inspections enforce safety and treatment standards.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone can:
- Reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allow people to focus on their health and recovery goals
- Lower the risk of overdose
- Help people reclaim stable, productive lives
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The structured environment helps clients end destructive opioid misuse patterns.
Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans and Medicaid cover methadone treatment. Those without insurance may qualify for state funding or clinic payment assistance programs.
Free Clinics
Some clinics offer free treatment funded by grants, public health programs, and donations. Eligibility is based on income.
Drug Use in Harrisburg
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Pennsylvania in 2017 alone:
- 5,456 drug overdose deaths occurred, with 85% involving opioids
- Dauphin County’s overdose death rate was 43.3 per 100,000 residents
The most commonly misused substances in Pennsylvania are:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Prescription opioids
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug rehab involves living at a treatment facility for 30-90 days. Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication management, aftercare planning, etc.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending sessions 1-5 times per week for several hours a day. Services are similar to inpatient but less intensive.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of patients do not report their treatment level. Reasons may include privacy concerns, involvement in 12-step programs, using multiple treatment types, etc.
Comparison of Treatment in Harrisburg vs. Lancaster and York
| City | Treatment Centers | Inpatient Beds | Cost Range |
| Harrisburg | 12 | 300 | $5,000-$20,000 |
| Lancaster | 8 | 150 | $7,000-$25,000 |
| York | 5 | 100 | $3,000-$15,000 |
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 reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain similarly to other opioid drugs. However, it does not provide the associated euphoria or high of misused opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in tapering doses under medical supervision in what is known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it does help individuals with opioid addictions regain functioning and reduce harm from injecting drugs, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows that properly prescribed and monitored methadone allows patients to hold jobs, avoid criminal behavior, and reduce their risk of overdose and disease transmission.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with several monitoring requirements:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure they are not using other opioids or substances.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of methadone treatment, take-home doses are limited to a single 24-hour supply that must be consumed on-site under supervision to prevent misuse and diversion. After this period, take-home privileges can be earned for responsible usage.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team of medical, counseling, and social work professionals monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid prescriptions and titrate methadone dosage appropriately, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.
In Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance monitored by the state’s PDMP.
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 from injection drug use, and drug-related criminal behavior when properly prescribed and monitored.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Research indicates that methadone maintenance treatment:
- Produces 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- Is 4.44 times more likely to retain individuals in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, disease transmission, and unemployment
Major Drawbacks
Potential drawbacks of methadone include:
- Risk for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
About Harrisburg
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Harrisburg is located in Dauphin County in south-central Pennsylvania. It borders the states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio.
Capital and Largest City
Harrisburg is the capital and largest city in Pennsylvania.
Land Area
Harrisburg covers a total land area of 11.9 square miles.
Infrastructure
Harrisburg is served by various modes of transportation including highways, rail, air, and public transit. Major highways include Interstates 81, 83, and 76. Amtrak and Norfolk Southern provide passenger and freight rail service. Harrisburg International Airport offers regional commercial flights. Capital Area Transit provides public bus and light rail services in the region.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Harrisburg is 49,229 as of the 2020 census.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 46%
- Female: 54%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 21%
- 18 to 65 years: 63%
- Over 65 years: 16%
Occupations
- Management/Business/Science/Arts: 30%
- Sales/Office: 26%
- Services: 17%
- Production/Transportation: 13%
- Construction/Maintenance: 8%
- Farming/Fishing/Forestry: 1%
