Methadone Clinics in Spokane

Rules and Regulations

Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, 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 Washington State Department of Health.

Certification Procedures

Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA’s Division of Pharmacologic Therapies and accredited by an independent accrediting body. Staff must undergo specialized training and licensing. Clinics must adhere to strict security and record-keeping policies regarding methadone distribution and patient treatments.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Benefits of methadone maintenance treatment include:

• Reducing illicit opioid drug use and overdose deaths
• Improving patient survival rates and lowering transmission rates of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis
• Supporting patient functionality and social productivity

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing and comprehensive supportive services to those with opioid use disorder. This allows patients to regain control over their lives and reintegrate into society.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid and Medicare. Some also take private insurance. Uninsured patients may qualify for state-funded treatment or utilize sliding-scale fees based on income.

Drug Use in Spokane

In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This allows access to disaster relief funds and removes some regulations to provide wider access to treatment.

Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths

• In 2020, there were 118 overdose deaths involving opioids in Spokane County according to provisional CDC data. This is a 49% increase from 2019.
• Methamphetamine was involved in 78 overdose deaths in 2020, a 34% increase from 2019 based on provisional CDC numbers.

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for substance abuse treatment, typically lasting 28-30 days. It includes medical detox, individual and group counseling, education, etc.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending sessions 1-5 times a week for 1-2 hours per session. Locations are clinics or counselor offices.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10.3% of people with illicit drug dependence or abuse did not receive treatment at a specialty facility in 2020 according to SAMHSA.

Comparison of Treatment in Spokane vs. Portland

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone treatment programs provide medication along with counseling and other services in a structured setting known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Patients must visit the clinic daily to receive their dose.

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as simply replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows that properly managed methadone treatment can be life-saving and helps people recover and rebuild their lives.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution is highly regulated with several monitoring requirements:

• Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight urine drug tests in the first year to ensure appropriate use and identify any additional substance use issues.
• Take-home doses: Patients must attend the clinic daily at first. After 90 days of compliance, take-home doses can be allowed but are limited based on the length of time in treatment.
• Interprofessional team: OTPs have counselors, nurses, and doctors to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
• Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state PDMP data to coordinate care and avoid dangerous drug interactions.

In Washington, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, with extra regulations on distribution.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show it reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when properly managed. Evidence includes 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and 4 times higher treatment retention, which reduces risks and increases employment opportunities.

However, methadone does carry risks including misuse potential and severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly. It can also prolong the QT interval, requiring monitoring, and still carries a risk of overdose when combined with certain substances. It has a similar effectiveness to buprenorphine. Overall methadone is beneficial but requires careful patient selection and management.

About Spokane

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Spokane is located in Spokane County in eastern Washington State. It borders Idaho to the east, Oregon to the south and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north.

Capital and Largest City

Spokane is the largest city in eastern Washington and the second-largest city in the state.

Land Area

Spokane has a total area of 60.02 square miles.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Spokane is 228,300 as of 2021.

Demographics:

Gender

• Male: 50.7%
• Female: 49.3%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 19.2%
• 18 to 64 years: 62.5%
• 65 years and over: 18.3%

Occupations

• Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 38.2%
• Sales and office occupations: 26.3%
• Service occupations: 18.3%
• Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 11.7%
• Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 8.8%