Rules and regulations: Saunderstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, 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). All clinics must be certified and meet standards for dispensing and administering methadone.
Certification procedures
- Clinics must apply for certification from SAMHSA
- Staff must meet educational and licensing criteria
- Facilities must meet security and storage standards
- Regular state inspections enforce ongoing compliance
Benefits of medication-assisted treatment
- Methadone reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows people to function normally and reconnect with society
- Facilitates participation in counseling and behavioral therapies
How clinics operate and their purpose
- Provide daily supervised methadone doses
- Conduct drug tests to ensure compliance
- Offer counseling and case management
- Goal is to stabilize individuals and help them establish drug-free lives
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment
- Private insurance often covers treatment to some extent
- Grants help fund low-cost and free treatment programs
Drug Use in Saunderstown
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, drug overdose deaths have increased dramatically in recent years:
- In 2014, there were 239 overdose deaths involving opioids in Rhode Island
- This number rose to 336 in 2016
- The drugs most frequently involved in overdose deaths are fentanyl, heroin, prescription opioids, cocaine, and benzodiazepines
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug rehab involves living at a treatment facility for 30-90 days or longer. It provides 24/7 care, counseling, group therapy, medical monitoring, and other services.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending counseling and therapy sessions multiple times per week at a clinic. It provides many of the same services as inpatient treatment on a less intensive basis.
Treatment Level Unreported
Many addicts do not enter formal treatment programs. Estimates suggest only 10% of those who need addiction treatment actually receive it. Reasons include cost, lack of access, and social stigma.
Comparison of Treatment in Saunderstown vs. Providence
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost |
| Saunderstown | 2 | 50 | $10,000/month |
| Providence | 12 | 300 | $15,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
- Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It is taken orally once daily and binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is dispensed through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) that provide counseling and require frequent monitoring and drug testing.
- Methadone activates opioid receptors like heroin and prescription opioids, but it has a slower onset and longer duration of action. It stabilizes individuals with opioid addiction by relieving withdrawal and cravings. OTPs provide methadone along with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat the whole person. Patients must visit clinics daily to receive their methadone dose.
- Methadone treatment is controversial, with some viewing it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone helps individuals stop using illicit opioids, reduce criminal activity, and improve employment. Many experts argue methadone enables stability and a path to recovery.
- Simply put, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid. This stops withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. OTPs provide the methadone and support services to help people recover.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone patients undergo frequent urine drug tests to ensure they are not using other opioids or illicit drugs. At least eight tests occur in the first year.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, patients must take their dose at the clinic. After meeting certain criteria, take-home doses are allowed.
- Monitoring: OTPs have teams including doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Providers check state prescription drug databases to ensure safe methadone dosage based on other medications.
Saunderstown Controlled Substances classifications
- Schedule I – Heroin, LSD, Marijuana, Ecstasy
- Schedule II – OxyContin, Methadone, Adderall
- Schedule III – Tylenol with Codeine, Testosterone
- Schedule IV – Xanax, Soma, Valium
- Schedule V – Robitussin AC, Lomotil
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. Patients on methadone have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which reduces overdose risk and increases employment.
Major Drawbacks
Potential for misuse/diversion exists. Sudden discontinuation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms. Methadone may cause QTc prolongation and cardiac issues. It also carries respiratory depression and overdose risk when combined with other substances.
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone is equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use.
Conclusion
Methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring careful management.
About Saunderstown
Saunderstown is located in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. Rhode Island shares borders with the following states: Massachusetts, Connecticut. The capital and largest city in Rhode Island is Providence. The land area of Saunderstown is approximately 8.9 sq miles.
Population Statistics
The total population of Saunderstown is approximately 3,099 people according to the 2020 census data.
Demographics
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 16%
- 18 to 64 years: 62.8%
- 65 years and over: 21.2%
The top occupations in Saunderstown are:
- Management, business, science, and arts: 57.8%
- Sales and office: 18.2%
- Service: 11.5%
- Production, transportation, material moving: 7.1%
- Natural resources, construction, maintenance: 5.5%