Methadone Clinics in Beaumont

Name rehabsAddressPhone
Beaumont Treatment Services 2140 Calder Street Beaumont, TX 77701
Texas Treatment Services 4349 Crow Rd Suite A&B Beaumont, TX 77706

Rules and Regulations

Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Certification Procedures

  • Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state.
  • Staff must meet educational and licensing criteria set by Texas.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction can:

  • Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
  • Help patients regain stability and improve social functioning
  • Be more effective when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder. Patients visit daily to receive methadone doses under medical supervision. The structured environment helps patients avoid destructive behaviors. Over time, patients may progress to less intensive treatment.

Insurance Coverage

Coverage for methadone treatment varies in Texas.

  • Low-income residents may qualify for free treatment through publicly funded clinics.
  • Private insurance plans often cover methadone treatment but may have limitations. Patients should understand their policy’s specific coverage details.

Drug Use in Beaumont

The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in the United States. In Texas specifically:

  • There were 4,373 drug overdose deaths in 2020, a 37% increase from 2015.
  • Prescription opioids are involved in more than half of all drug overdose deaths.
  • Jefferson County had 43 drug overdose deaths in 2020.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient drug rehab involves living at a treatment facility for 28 days on average. Services include medical detox, individual and group counseling, behavioral therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment takes place at a facility up to 3 times a week for 2-4 hours per day. It provides services like therapy, education groups, and relapse prevention without requiring an overnight stay.

Treatment Level Unreported

Around 21% of treatment admissions in Texas did not specify whether treatment was inpatient or outpatient. It’s estimated over half were likely outpatient services.

Comparison of Treatment in Beaumont vs. Houston

CityFacilitiesInpatient BedsCost
Beaumont11156$10,000
Houston1231,267$15,000

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. In an opioid treatment program (OTP), methadone is dispensed daily in supervised settings at the start of treatment to reduce misuse.

Methadone activates opioid receptors to prevent withdrawals and reduce drug cravings without causing the same level of euphoria as other opioids. In MAT programs, methadone helps normalize brain function, allowing patients to focus on recovery and rebuild their lives. Over time, it rewires the brain’s reward pathways that have been hijacked by opioid addiction.

Many see methadone treatment positively as a harm-reduction approach for a chronic disease. However, some view it negatively as substituting one opioid for another. Stigma remains an issue. Methadone is an effective, evidence-based treatment, but education is still needed to increase societal understanding.

Methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid. This stops withdrawals and cravings. Over time, the brain can heal itself to not need opioids as much. Methadone buys time for this healing and allows people to work on the roots of their addiction.

Methadone Distribution

  • Urine Testing: Patients must pass at least 8 urine tests for drugs in the first year to ensure compliance.
  • Take-Home Doses: For the first 14 days, doses are only given and taken on-site, under supervision to prevent misuse. After meeting requirements, take-home doses can incrementally increase.
  • Oversight Team: Experts like doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers provide care, assessments, referrals, and coordinate needs.
  • Prescription Monitoring: Providers check the state’s prescription drug monitoring program to ensure safe methadone dosage and interactions.

Beaumont, Texas, United States State Drug Classifications Methadone is a DEA Schedule II controlled prescription substance due to the potential for abuse. Texas has additional laws regulating distribution.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used since 1947 to treat opioid addictions. Studies show it is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder.

Evidence for Effectiveness

Research indicates participation in a methadone treatment program can reduce opioid use, risky behavior leading to disease transmission, and criminal activity:

  • 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
  • 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
  • Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV and hepatitis C transmission through IV drug use, and increases employment opportunities

Major Drawbacks

However, methadone does carry some risks:

  • Potential for misuse/diversion for nonmedical use
  • Severe withdrawal if treatment is stopped suddenly
  • Possibility of QTc prolongation or cardiac arrhythmias
  • Respiratory depression or overdose when combined with alcohol or other medications

Comparison to Other Medications

Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use in patients with opioid use disorder.

While not without risks requiring careful oversight, methadone maintenance therapy is a well-established treatment for opioid addiction that can enable long-term recovery.

About Beaumont

Beaumont is a city in and the county seat of Jefferson County, located in southeast Texas, United States.

Location, County & Neighboring States

Jefferson County borders the following states:

Capital and Largest City

Beaumont is the county seat and largest city in Jefferson County.

Land Area

The total land area of Jefferson County is 1,113 square miles.

Infrastructure

Jefferson County has access to major highways, railways, and shipping channels, including:

  • Interstate 10 and U.S. Highways 90 and 287
  • Kansas City Southern Railway
  • Port of Beaumont shipping channels

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Jefferson County is approximately 252,000 people according to the 2020 United States Census.

Demographics

Gender

  • 49% Male
  • 51% Female

Age Brackets

  • 17% under age 18
  • 12% aged 18 to 24
  • 25% aged 25 to 44
  • 26% aged 45 to 64
  • 20% aged 65 or older

Occupations

  • 26% management, business, science, and arts occupations
  • 21% sales and office occupations
  • 19% service occupations
  • 16% natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations
  • 18% production, transportation, and material moving occupations