| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Butler Hospital Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services | 345 Blackstone Boulevard Providence, RI 2906 | (401) 455-6214 |
| CODAC Providence | 349 Huntington Avenue Providence, RI 2909 | (401) 942-1450 |
| Discovery House South Providence Addiction Center | 66 Pavilion Avenue Providence, RI 2905 | (401) 461-9110 |
| Providence MetroTreatment Center | 160 Narragansett Avenue Providence, RI 2907 | (401) 941-4488 |
| Roger Williams Medical Center Addiction Medical Treatment Center | 825 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 2908 | (401) 456-2000 |
Rules and Regulations
Methadone clinics in Providence are highly regulated medical facilities that provide medication-assisted treatment for those struggling with opioid addiction. Common regulations, procedures, benefits, operations, and insurance coverage details regarding these clinics may include:
Certification Procedures
Clinics must be certified by state and federal regulatory bodies to legally dispense methadone and buprenorphine. This involves inspections, staff credentials, security measures, etc.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and buprenorphine help opioid addicts stabilize by relieving withdrawal and cravings when used properly. This allows patients to focus on counseling and recovery.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to patients. The purpose is to facilitate recovery by giving addicts structure and support.
Insurance Coverage
Some private insurance and Medicaid plans cover methadone treatment costs, but many patients pay out-of-pocket on sliding fee scales based on their income.
Free/Non-profit Clinics
Some low-income patients qualify for treatment at reduced or no cost through charitable clinics and public health programs.
Drug Use in Providence
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Rhode Island specifically:
- There were 336 drug overdose deaths in 2020, a 4% increase from 2019
- Opioids were involved in 82% of all drug overdose deaths
- The drugs most commonly involved in overdose deaths were fentanyl (71%) and cocaine (42%)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending treatment sessions 1-5 times per week for 1-6 months. 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 or involvement in unofficial support groups.
Comparison of Treatment in Providence vs. Boston
| Category | Providence | Boston |
| Treatment Facilities | 20 | 35 |
| Inpatient Beds | 300 | 500 |
| Cost of Treatment | $10,000/month | $15,000/month |
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 opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps individuals with opioid addiction rebuild their lives, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when properly managed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with strict federal and state monitoring to prevent misuse and diversion:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year to detect any unsanctioned drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a single 24-hour dose taken under observation at the clinic. More take-home doses are allowed over time if patients follow program rules.
- Monitoring: OTPs must have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference methadone and other opioid dosages due to methadone’s narrow therapeutic index.
In Rhode Island, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, with illegal use penalties similar to other opioids.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone treatment reduces opioid use, disease transmission through injection, and drug-related crime. Patients on methadone maintenance have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which reduces overdose risk and infectious disease transmission while increasing employment opportunities.
However, methadone does have downsides. There is potential for misuse and diversion, and withdrawal symptoms if the medication is stopped suddenly can be severe. Methadone can also prolong the QT interval on electrocardiograms, increasing the risk for dangerous heart rhythms. It also causes respiratory depression and overdose death when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use and helping patients regain control of their lives. However, both medications must be carefully managed by trained providers.
In conclusion, methadone maintenance has demonstrated benefits but also serious risks requiring vigilant monitoring and safeguards against misuse.
About Providence
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Providence is the capital and largest city in Rhode Island, located in Providence County. Rhode Island shares borders with Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Capital and Largest City
Providence is the capital and largest city in Rhode Island.
Land Area
Providence has a total land area of 20.5 square miles.
Infrastructure
Providence has an international airport, train station, highways, public transportation, fiber internet access, water and sewer systems, and power plants to support its economy and population.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Providence is estimated to be 179,335 as of 2017.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 47%
- Female: 53%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 21.4%
- 18 to 65 years: 67.3%
- Over 65 years: 11.3%
Occupations
- Management, business, science and arts occupations: 47.7%
- Service occupations: 22.3%
- Sales and office occupations: 17.3%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 7.2%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 5.5%
