| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Treatment Services South Sound Clinic | 6700 Martin Way East Olympia, WA 98516 | |
| South Sound Clinic of Evergreen Treatment Services | 6700 Martin Way East Suite 117 Olympia, WA 98516 | (360) 413-6910 |
Rules and Regulations
Olympia 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 and licensed by the state health department.
- Staff must meet educational, and training requirements set by regulations.
- Facilities must meet security, counseling, and dosing requirements.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone helps individuals with opioid use disorder by:
- Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing opioid cravings
- Allowing people to focus on their health and recovery
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The purpose is to facilitate recovery and prevent relapse and overdose deaths.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Private insurance
Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without insurance. Grants and public funding also help support affordable treatment access.
Drug Use in Olympia
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. According to the Washington State Department of Health:
There were 615 opioid-related overdose deaths statewide in 2020
The drugs most commonly involved in overdoses are:
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Prescription opioids like OxyContin
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typical length of stay is 28 days
- Services include medical detoxification, individual and group counseling, aftercare planning
Outpatient Treatment
- Held at clinics with sessions 1-5 times per week
- Includes counseling, therapy, medication management
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10% of facilities did not report treatment-level details
Comparison of Treatment in Olympia vs. Seattle
| Category | Olympia | Seattle |
| Treatment facilities | 15 | 25 |
| Inpatient beds | 300 | 500 |
| Cost of treatment | $15,000 | $30,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent opioid withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain similarly to other opioid drugs. However, it does not produce the same level of euphoria or sedation, allowing those in treatment to function more normally. Methadone is only provided through federally regulated and accredited opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While some see it as merely replacing one addiction with another, substantial research shows methadone maintenance is effective at reducing illicit opioid use, disease transmission, and crime when properly regulated.
In layman’s terms, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid, stopping withdrawal and cravings. This allows the patient to function normally and focus on recovery without being controlled by the need to keep using drugs.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly monitored under federal and state regulations. These include:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure compliance and prevent diversion.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home supply of methadone is limited to a single, 24-hour dose. More take-home doses are allowed over time for compliant patients.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team overseeing treatment, including physicians, nurses, and counselors.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and dosages, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.
In Washington State, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, with special restrictions on distribution through authorized OTPs. Thurston County follows state regulations for methadone treatment and distribution.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder. Evidence includes:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for patients in methadone treatment
- 4.44 times more likely for patients to stay in treatment compared to non-medication approaches
- Retention in methadone treatment reduces the risk of overdose and disease transmission while increasing employment
However, methadone does have some major drawbacks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion if not properly monitored
- Severe withdrawal if treatment is stopped suddenly
- Risk of QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with alcohol or other medications
In comparison, buprenorphine is equally effective at reducing illicit opioid use. Both medications require careful patient monitoring and management to minimize risks.
In conclusion, methadone maintenance has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring oversight.
About Olympia
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County.
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Olympia is located in Thurston County in the southwestern part of Washington state
Neighboring states:
Capital and Largest City
- Olympia is the capital of Washington
- It is also the largest city in Thurston County
Land area
Total area: 19.68 sq miles (51.01 sq km)
Infrastructure
- Main highways: Interstate 5, U.S. Route 101
- Port of Olympia – public marina on Capitol Lake
Population Statistics
According to the 2020 census, the population of Olympia was 55,609
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 50.1%
- Female: 49.9%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 18.1%
- 18 to 65 years: 69.5%
- Over 65 years: 12.4%
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 47.3%
- Sales and office occupations: 22.8%
- Service occupations: 15.8%
