Methadone Clinics in Humble

Name rehabsAddressPhone
BHG Humble Treatment Center 19333 Highway 59 North 280 Humble, TX 77338

Rules and Regulations

Humble, Harris County, Texas, United States 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 complete specialized training and licensing
  • Regular inspections ensure compliance with regulations

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medications reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Clinics provide counseling, medical care, and social services.

Treatment has been shown to:

  • Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
  • Lower risk of contracting infections like HIV and hepatitis
  • Improve ability to function at work, school, and home

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone and counseling to treat opioid addiction. The structured environment helps patients regain control of their lives.

Insurance Coverage

Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurers cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without coverage. Grants and public funding also help offset costs for uninsured patients at certain qualifying clinics. Those with coverage need to verify details with their specific health plan.

Drug Use in Humble

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. Drug overdoses claimed over 100,000 lives in 2021, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being the leading cause of death.

  • In Texas, over 4,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2021. Opioids were involved in nearly 75% of these deaths.
  • In Harris County, there were over 600 opioid-related deaths in 2021. The drug overdose mortality rate was 27.3 per 100,000 persons.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment involves services for 5-10 hours per week at a facility while living at home. It utilizes similar therapies as inpatients, just on a less intensive basis.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of people with substance use disorders in the county receive some form of treatment, according to national data. However, reporting on treatment statistics is incomplete.

Comparison of Treatment in Humble vs. Houston

CityTreatment FacilitiesInpatient BedsCost of Treatment
Humble15200$10,000-30,000
Houston1203000$15,000-40,000

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It activates opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people dependent on opioids. It allows patients to focus on recovery without the disruptive effects of withdrawal. Methadone is typically taken orally once daily and works by replacing short-acting opioids with stable, long-acting medication.

Societal Perspectives on Methadone Treatment

Methadone treatment is controversial, with some viewing it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone maintenance is an evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction. It helps stabilize patients, allowing them to function normally and focus on recovery. With proper monitoring and dosage adjustments, risks like overmedication are minimized. Many experts argue MAT with methadone is an ethical treatment that improves the quality of life for addiction patients. Some still hold negative views, emphasizing risks over benefits, but attitudes are gradually shifting as opioid epidemics continue.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is strictly regulated with required monitoring to minimize misuse:

  • Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure appropriate use and identify relapse triggers.
  • Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days, methadone take-home supply is limited to a 24-hour dose. As patients progress, take-homes increase but are subject to periodic urine tests.
  • Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team with medical, counseling, and case management staff monitoring patient progress.
  • Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other prescribed opioids with methadone dosage, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.

In Harris County, methadone is a Schedule III drug requiring a prescription and is only dispensed to patients enrolled in licensed treatment programs with required counseling under Texas regulations. Federal and state laws aim to allow access for patients who benefit while restricting misuse.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime among patients:

Evidence for Effectiveness

Research displays that methadone treatment leads to 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and makes patients 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment versus untreated patients. Retention in treatment reduces overdose and disease transmission risks and increases employment opportunities.

Major Drawbacks

However, methadone does carry risks including the potential for misuse and diversion illicitly. Stopping suddenly leads to severe withdrawal symptoms. It can prolong the QT interval, increasing cardiac issues risk. Combining with other substances also raises respiratory depression and overdose dangers.

Comparison to Other Medications

Studies display that methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing opioid use long-term. Still, careful monitoring and management of risks/benefits are essential.

In conclusion, methadone is a well-established treatment for opioid addiction but requires supervised administration to minimize patient risks.

About Humble

Humble is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States.

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

County: Harris

Neighbouring states:

Capital and Largest City

  • Capital of Texas: Austin
  • The largest city in Texas: Houston

Humble is part of the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area.

Land Area

The land area of Humble is approximately 15.5 square miles.

Infrastructure

Humble has access to major highways including U.S. Highway 59 and Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59. It is served by Houston Executive Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The estimated population of Humble in 2018 was 16,612 people.

Gender

  • Male: 51.4%
  • Female: 48.6%

Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 26.7%
  • 18 to 64 years: 59.3%
  • 65 years and over: 14%

Occupations

Top occupations in Humble include office and administrative support, sales-related, transportation and moving-related, production, and construction.