Methadone Clinics in Bexar

Name rehabsAddressPhone
Center for Healthcare Services601 North Frio Building 2, 2nd Floor, San Antonio, Texas, 78207(210) 7311-320
Laurel Ridge Treatment Center17720 Corporate Woods Drive, San Antonio, Texas, 78259(210) 4919-400
NW San Antonio Treatment Center3615 Culebra Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78228(210) 3146-473
River City Rehabilitation Center, Inc.680 Stonewall Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78214(210) 9247-547

Bexar adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Typical certification procedures cover aspects such as licensing, regular compliance inspections, personnel qualifications, dispensing protocols, inventory controls, security standards, and patient limits.

Clinics provide medication-assisted treatment using methadone, an opioid agonist medication that reduces cravings and blocks euphoric effects of other opioids. This allows people struggling with opioid addiction to regain stability and function while managing their recovery. Clinics dispense daily methadone doses under medical supervision along with counseling.

Insurance Coverage

Bexar has some grant-funded methadone clinics offering free or affordable treatment based on financial hardship and lack of health insurance. More typical coverage options include:

  • Medicaid: Texas Medicaid programs cover treatment costs, counseling, care coordination, and tests for eligible members subject to restrictions.
  • Private Insurance: Some plans may cover portions subjected to deductibles, copays, prior authorization, exclusions based on the plan details. Coverage varies significantly.

Drug Use in Bexar

Bexar declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2018 as overdoses increased sharply. While deaths have plateaued lately, fentanyl poses growing concerns as it emerges in more cases. Methamphetamine and cocaine are also major issues.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient facilities offer 24/7 supervised addiction care typically for 30-90 days. Services include counseling, therapy, case management, medical care, and discharge planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient provides addiction treatment services for several hours at a time while living at home. Frequency starts higher then reduces over time for continuing care.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 30-50% battling addiction access some form of treatment not reflected in Bexar data through private doctors, community centers, peer support groups, etc.

Comparison of Treatment in Bexar vs. Neighboring Major City

CategorySan Antonio, TXHouston, TX
Treatment Facilities145215
Inpatient Beds2,1003,200
Cost of Treatment$4,500/month$5,000/month

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) since 1947. As part of certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs), it activates receptors enough to prevent withdrawals and reduce cravings without inducing a strong high. Views remain controversial on methadone treatment, though it serves to medically stabilize recovery by substituting controlled dosing for illicit opioid use. Simply put, methadone provides therapeutic opioid effects to support addiction treatment efforts.

Methadone Distribution

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission closely governs methadone distribution operations including:

  1. Requiring at least 8 patient urine tests in the first treatment year.
  2. Limiting initial take-home methadone supplies to 24 hours.
  3. Mandating OTPs utilize interprofessional teams overseeing dosing/care decisions.
  4. Having clinicians cross-check the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program for informed methadone dosage adjustments considering its narrow therapeutic window.

Texas categorizes methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance, balancing its sanctioned medical purpose with potential for abuse.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Extensive evidence confirms methadone successfully reduces opioid misuse based on 33% fewer positive drug tests, boosts retention over 4 times higher, and mitigates overdose, HIV, hepatitis C risks by stabilizing patients in care. However, risks include diversion due to its controlled status, stopping suddenly causes severe withdrawal sickness, mixing sedatives increases overdose dangers, while cardiac issues rarely occur. Research deems methadone equally effective as buprenorphine for decreasing illicit opioid use when properly managed. In summary, methadone provides benefits yet requires vigilant oversight given associated risks.

About Bexar

Bexar County is located in south central Texas, bordered by Comal, Guadalupe, Medina, Atascosa, Wilson and Karnes counties along with the San Antonio River. The county seat and largest city is San Antonio. Bexar County covers 1,248 square miles containing 38 cities. Major infrastructure includes Interstates 10, 35, 37 along with San Antonio International Airport.

Population Statistics

The estimated total Bexar County population equals over 2 million residents as of 2022, making it the 15th largest county in the United States.

Demographics indicate:

Gender: 51% female, 49% male

Age: 79% over 18

  • 21% under 18
  • 12% over 65

Occupations:

  • 28% management, business, science & arts
  • 15% sales and 13% office administration
  • 11% production and transportation
  • 10% education and healthcare
  • 8% food, cleaning, personal services