| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Substance Abuse Clinic Pasadena | 5825 Spencer Highway Suite B Pasadena, TX 77505 | |
| Pasadena Substance Abuse Clinic | 1645 Pasadena Boulevard Pasadena, TX 77502 |
Rules and Regulations
Pasadena, Harris County, Texas adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must register with SAMHSA and be certified by HHSC
- Staff must undergo background checks and meet educational requirements
- Facilities must meet security, counseling, and dosing standards
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone helps individuals with opioid use disorder by:
- Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing opioid cravings
- Allowing patients to focus on counseling and recovery
How Clinics Operate
Methadone clinics provide daily monitored methadone dosing, counseling, and case management to support recovery from opioid dependence.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Private health insurance
Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for uninsured patients. Grants and public funding may also be available to provide free or low-cost treatment.
Drug Use in Pasadena
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in the United States. In Texas specifically:
- Over 4,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2021
- Opioids were involved in over 70% of these deaths
- Heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids are widely abused
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at the facility 24/7 for the duration of the program
- Programs typically last 28-90 days
- Services include counseling, group therapy, medical monitoring
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend scheduled services but do not stay overnight
- Generally meet 3-5 times per week for 2-4 hours per day
- Services provided onsite in outpatient centers
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 30-40% of patients do not report treatment level
- Likely a mix of inpatient, outpatient, and no-treatment
Comparison of Treatment Availability
| City | Treatment Centers | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Pasadena | 12 | 200 | $10,000/month |
| Houston | 20 | 300 | $15,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It activates opioid receptors in the brain, blocking cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This allows people to stop misusing opioids and rebuild their lives. Methadone is taken orally once daily in supervised opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal Perspectives on Methadone Treatment
Many see methadone as simply replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows methadone treatment:
- Reduces illicit opioid use
- Lowers transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis
- Improves employment rates
- Concerns about diversion and misuse have led to strict regulations around methadone distribution.
In plain language, methadone relieves cravings and withdrawal symptoms to support recovery – but careful oversight is still required.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution in OTPs involves several monitoring and regulation measures:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure no ongoing illicit drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days, patients can only take home a 24-hour methadone supply. More take-home doses are allowed over time if urine tests remain negative.
- Monitoring: OTPs should have an interprofessional team including counselors, social workers, nurses and doctors monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data when determining dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic range.
In Texas, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, available legally only through OTPs.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is effective:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for methadone patients
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment long-term
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk and transmission of HIV/hepatitis while improving employment rates
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Cardiac issues such as QTc prolongation
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. Overall, methadone provides substantial benefits but requires careful management due to risks.
About Pasadena
Pasadena is located in Harris County in southeast Texas, United States.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Capital and Largest City
- Capital of Texas: Austin
- The largest city in Texas: Houston (located 10 miles northwest of Pasadena)
Land Area
27.9 square miles
Population Statistics
Total Population
154,632 (as of 2021)
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 51.8%
- Female: 48.2%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 26.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.3%
- 65 years and over: 14.3%
Occupations
- Management/Professional: 32.1%
- Service: 16.8%
- Sales/Office: 25.2%
- Natural Resources/Construction: 13.1%
- Production/Transportation: 12.8%
