Methadone Clinics in Knoxville

Rules and Regulations

Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, 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

To become a certified methadone clinic, facilities must submit an application to SAMHSA demonstrating they meet standards for medication-assisted treatment. Clinics must provide counseling, conduct drug tests, and maintain thorough patient records. Staff must complete special training. Clinics are subject to regular inspections.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

• Help people recover from opioid addiction
• Prevent withdrawal and drug cravings
• Allow people to function normally and participate in society
• Lower the risk of overdose or contracting diseases like HIV/AIDS

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to treat opioid addiction. The medication blocks the effects of opioids and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Clinics offer counseling and other services to help people change behaviors and rebuild their lives.

Insurance Coverage

Most private health insurance plans cover methadone treatment. Medicaid and Medicare also provide coverage. Some clinics offer free or low-cost treatment for uninsured patients. Grants help fund clinics serving low-income populations.

Drug Use in Knoxville

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Tennessee, in 2020 there were:

• 2,097 overdose deaths, a 45% increase from 2019
• 1,613 involved opioids, up 54%
• 644 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl, up 65%

According to the TN Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the most commonly used substances in Tennessee are:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Prescription Opioids

Addiction Treatment Overview

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 allows the patient to live at home while attending 3-5 days a week for several hours a day. It includes counseling, group therapy, medication management, and recovery support services.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of Tennesseans struggling with addiction do not report their treatment level. Reasons may include stigma, cost barriers, or lack of treatment capacity.

Comparison of Treatment in Knoxville vs. Nashville

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder. 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. Under observed dosing in opioid treatment programs (OTPs), it is taken orally once daily and allows patients to function normally without the negative effects of alternate opioid use.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it does prevent dangerous alternate opioid use, some view it as simply replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows MAT with methadone is effective for treating opioid addiction long-term.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is highly monitored and regulated to prevent misuse and diversion:

• Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure compliance and prevent concurrent drug use.
• Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone supply is limited to a single 24-hour dose. After 90 days of compliance, patients may earn one take-home dose per week, eventually earning up to 30 days of take-home medication for continued compliance.
• Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs utilize an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, counselors, and social workers to coordinate care and monitoring.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and titrate methadone dosage appropriately within the narrow therapeutic range.

In Knoxville/Knox County, Tennessee, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance with strict regulations on distribution through authorized OTPs.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show participation in a methadone treatment program reduces opioid use, disease transmission through injection, and drug-related crime. Specific research evidence includes:

• 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for patients on MAT
• Patients on MAT were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
• Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV/HepC transmission, and increases employment
• Equally as effective as buprenorphine in reducing illicit opioid use

However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation and cardiac issues, and respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances, requiring careful patient selection and monitoring. Still, with proper oversight, it remains a well-established, effective treatment for opioid addiction.

About Knoxville

Knoxville is the county seat of Knox County, Tennessee, United States. Knox County borders the states of Kentucky and Virginia.

Location, Knox County & List of Neighboring States

Knoxville is located in East Tennessee. Knox County covers 526 square miles.

Neighboring states:

• Kentucky (north)
• Virginia (northeast)

Capital and Largest City

Knoxville is the capital and largest city in Knox County.

Land Area

Knoxville covers 104 square miles of land area.

Infrastructure

Knoxville has an international airport, railways, interstates, public transport, hotels, hospitals, parks and recreation centers.

Population Statistics

Total Population

Knoxville has an estimated population of 187,603 as of 2020.

Demographics

Gender

• Male: 47%
• Female: 53%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 19%
• 18 to 65 years: 63%
• Over 65 years: 18%

Occupations

The top occupations are in education, healthcare, retail, technology, trade, and utilities sectors.