| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| East Texas Clinic | 201 Pine Tree Road Longview, TX 75604 | |
| Woodbine Treatment Center Sabine Valley Center | 103 Woodbine Place Longview, TX 75601 | (903) 758-0596 |
Rules and Regulations
Longview adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular facility inspections enforce safety and treatment standards
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Methadone and buprenorphine effectively treat opioid addiction
- Reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allow people to focus on their health, families, and work
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to people addicted to opioids. Patients receive daily doses of methadone or buprenorphine to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Counseling and support services help address the psychological and social aspects of addiction. The ultimate purpose is to help people achieve sobriety and become productive members of society.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Uninsured patients may qualify for state funding or clinic payment plans based on income.
Free Clinics
Some nonprofit clinics offer free or very low-cost treatment based on patient needs. These rely on grants and donations to subsidize care. Public health departments may also provide methadone treatment on an income-based sliding scale.
Drug Use in Longview
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Texas, drug overdose deaths have increased across all drug categories from 1999 to 2017.
- Prescription opioid-involved deaths in Texas rose nearly 500% from 1999 (121 deaths) to 2017 (714 deaths)
- Heroin-involved deaths in Texas rose over 1,300% from 1999 (48 deaths) to 2017 (700 deaths)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typically 28-30 day residential program
- Detoxification, counseling, group therapy, medication
Outpatient Treatment
- 1-5 visits per week for counseling, therapy
- Provided at clinics, private practices, hospitals
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 30% of facilities do not report treatment level
- The majority of unreported are likely outpatient
Comparison of Treatment in Longview vs. Neighboring Major City
| Category | Longview | Dallas |
| Treatment Facilities | 15 | 123 |
| Inpatient Beds | 18 | 1,234 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000 | $25,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. Some view it as merely replacing one opioid addiction with another. However, research shows methadone allows patients to function normally, hold jobs, and reduce their risk of overdose and disease transmission when properly managed under medical supervision.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with several monitoring requirements:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unauthorized substance use.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a one-day (24-hour) supply that must be ingested on-site under supervision. More take-home doses are permitted over time for stable patients meeting certain criteria.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications a patient has been prescribed, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk increases when combined with other substances.
In Texas, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance closely monitored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and state agencies.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Many studies over decades demonstrate methadone is an effective MAT medication. Compared to no medication, methadone:
- Produces 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- Is 4.44 times more likely to retain patients in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces disease transmission risks and increases employment
However, methadone does carry risks including the potential for misuse and diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation and cardiac issues, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other substances. These risks require careful patient selection and monitoring.
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. However, each medication has its risks and benefits that providers must consider when treating opioid addiction.
In conclusion, methadone is an effective treatment option but also carries serious risks requiring careful patient management.
About Longview
Longview is located in Gregg County in northeast Texas, United States.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Gregg County
Neighboring states:
Capital and Largest City
- Capital: Austin
- Largest city: Houston
Land Area
Total area: approximately 55.3 square miles
Infrastructure
- Major highways: Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 80
- Airport: East Texas Regional Airport
Population Statistics
Total population
According to the 2020 census, the population of Longview is 82,094 people.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 39,832
- Female: 42,262
Age brackets
- Under 18 years: 20.1%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.3%
- 65 years and over: 20.6%
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 32.2%
- Sales and office occupations: 24.8%
- Service occupations: 18.3%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 14.4%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 10.3%
