| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Texas American Medical Consultants | 954 East Madison Street Brownsville, TX 78520 |
Rules and Regulations
Brownsville 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
Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state. Staff must complete specific training programs focused on medication-assisted treatment. Clinics must follow security and record-keeping protocols.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medications used in treatment can relieve withdrawal symptoms, reduce opioid cravings, and allow people to focus on counseling and recovery programs. It has been shown to help people stay in treatment and reduce risk behaviors associated with addiction.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and require counseling. The purpose is to stabilize patients, help change addictive behaviors, and facilitate recovery without debilitating withdrawal symptoms or cravings.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid and Medicare may cover methadone treatment. Private insurers often require pre-authorization and utilize managed care programs. Coverage can vary greatly between plans.
Free Clinics
Some clinics operate on grant funding or private donations to provide free treatment to those in need who lack insurance. These clinics provide essential access but often have long wait lists.
Drug Use in Brownsville
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Texas:
- Over 4,500 opioid-related deaths occurred in 2021
- 12.6% of high school students report misusing prescription opioids
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervised care including counseling, group therapy, medication management, and other services to patients residing at the treatment center. Typical stays range from 28-90 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer similar services to inpatient facilities but allow the patient to live at home. Patients attend scheduled appointments for 3-5 hours multiple days per week. Many outpatient programs are located within hospitals or community mental health centers.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of patients do not specify whether they receive inpatient or outpatient treatment. Reasons may include privacy concerns or enrollment in hybrid models with both inpatient and outpatient components.
Comparison of Treatment in Brownsville vs. McAllen
| City | Brownsville | McAllen |
| Treatment Facilities | 15 | 14 |
| Inpatient Beds | 250 | 210 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000 | $12,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Methadone activates opioid receptors as an agonist, preventing painful withdrawal symptoms without providing a strong high. This allows people dependent on short-acting opioids like heroin to stabilize, stop using illegally, and focus on recovery. Methadone is only provided through monitored OTPs to reduce misuse potential. Patients must visit clinics daily for observed dose administration.
Society has mixed opinions on methadone. Supporters see it as allowing functioning recovery for people unable to quit opioids. Critics view it as replacing one opioid for another. However, research shows methadone retains patients in treatment and reduces illegal opioid use, infectious disease transmission, and criminal activity.
Methadone tricks the brain into thinking it’s still getting short-acting opioids, preventing withdrawal sickness. This gives comfort and stability so people can work on underlying reasons for addiction without illegal drug use or painful detox barriers.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure no ongoing illegal drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour supply. More take-home doses are allowed over time with demonstrated progress.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team of medical, counseling and social work staff monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and doses prescribed, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.
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. Methadone patients have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose and disease transmission risk while increasing employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks
However, methadone does carry risks. There is potential for misuse and diversion to the illegal market. Sudden discontinuation can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Methadone may cause QTc prolongation and cardiac issues in some patients. It also carries respiratory depression and overdose risks, especially when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines.
Comparison to Other Medications
About Brownsville
Location, County & Neighboring States
Brownsville is located in Cameron County in southern Texas, right along the Rio Grande River across from Matamoros, Mexico. Cameron County borders Mexico to the south and Willacy County to the north. The state of Texas borders the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Capital and Largest City
Austin is the capital of Texas while Houston is the largest city.
Land Area
Brownsville has a total area of 147.5 square miles.
Infrastructure
- Port of Brownsville – seaport ranked 3rd busiest in Texas
- Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport
- Public transportation via Brownsville Urban System
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Brownsville is 183,887 as of 2020.
Demographics
Gender: Female (52.3%), Male (47.7%)
Age Brackets:
- Under 18 years (29.4%)
- 18 to 64 years (59.8%)
- 65 years and over (10.8%)
Occupations:
- Management, business, science, and arts (30.8%)
- Sales and office (24.6%)
- Service (20.3%)
- Production, transportation, and material moving (14.3%)
