Methadone Clinics in Green Bay

Rules and Regulations

Green Bay and Brown County follow federal and state laws that regulate opiate treatment programs. Clinics must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and licensed by the state.

Certification Procedures

To be certified, clinics must:

• Adhere to federal and state regulations
• Employ qualified staff
• Maintain accurate records

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medications used in treatment can:

• Reduce opiate cravings and withdrawal
• Allow people to function normally
• Decrease the risk of overdose and death
• Help people stay in treatment

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Clinics provide methadone doses for addiction treatment. Patients must come each day for observed dosing. Over time, the goal is that people can reduce and stop methadone use. Counseling is offered to help address underlying issues.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Some clinics offer low-cost or free treatment based on income. Public funding also helps cover costs. Check with individual clinics about payment options.

Drug Use in Green Bay

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Wisconsin, drug overdoses claimed the lives of 883 residents in 2017. The rise in synthetic opioid deaths has driven an increase in total overdose fatalities across the state.

Key Drug Use Statistics

• Opioid-related deaths in Wisconsin increased from 366 in 2015 to 883 in 2017
• Alcohol and marijuana remain the most commonly abused substances
• Over 115,000 Wisconsin residents sought treatment for illicit drug use disorders in 2017

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

• Patients reside at accredited treatment facilities for 1-3 months of medically-managed detox and behavioral therapies
• Services include medical monitoring, counseling, group therapy, medication management

Outpatient Treatment

• Patients undergo 3-5 hours of treatment 3 days a week while living at home
• Services provided at clinics, health centers, etc.

Treatment Level Unreported

• An estimated 10-20% of patients do not specify treatment level
• Likely a mix of inpatient and outpatient services

Comparison of Treatment Availability

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in liquid or tablet form. As an opioid maintenance therapy, it is only provided through specialized opioid treatment programs (OTPs) with strict federal and state regulations to prevent misuse.

Mechanism as Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone acts as a replacement therapy, activating opioid receptors enough to prevent withdrawal and drug cravings without producing a strong high. This allows patients to focus on recovery without disabling symptoms. OTPs provide counseling and support services to promote rehabilitation. Patients must visit clinics daily to receive doses, allowing staff to monitor progress. The ultimate goals are restoring functionality, preventing relapse and transitioning to a drug-free life.

Societal Perspectives on Methadone Treatment

Though evidence shows methadone therapy improves outcomes, it remains controversial. Supporters view it as an essential harm-reduction strategy. Critics argue it merely replaces one addiction with another or enables continued drug use. Some see OTPs as enabling communities while others view them negatively. Stigma stems from myths about substitution therapy. Increased understanding of opioid use disorder as a chronic medical disease has improved attitudes.

Explanation in Layman Terms

Simply put, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid. This stops withdrawal symptoms so patients can work on getting their lives together without being disabled by cravings or illness. It buys time to make behavioral changes. The daily clinic visits provide accountability. Critics argue this is just trading one addiction for another. Supporters say it saves lives by keeping people safe until they can achieve sustained recovery.

Methadone Distribution

• Urine Testing: Patients must pass at least eight urine tests for illicit drugs in the first year to ensure compliance.
• Take-Home Doses: For the first 14 days, patients must take methadone at the clinic daily under observation to prevent misuse and monitor side effects. After meeting requirements, take-home doses are permitted depending on progress and time in treatment.
• Monitoring: OTPs must have counselors, social workers, and medical staff to assess progress and coordinate care. Nurses administer doses and watch for adverse reactions.
• Prescription Drug Monitoring: Providers check the state’s PDMP database to avoid dangerous drug interactions and ensure appropriate methadone dosage based on patient’s opioid tolerance history.

Wisconsin classifies methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating accepted medical use but also potential for abuse and dependency. The law aims to enable access for patients with addiction while preventing diversion.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Many studies over decades demonstrate its benefits.

Evidence for Effectiveness

Research shows methadone therapy reduces opioid use based on drug tests. Patients on methadone stay in treatment longer than with other interventions. Retention in treatment is essential for reducing disease transmission through IV drug use and decreasing criminal activity. Studies found patients on methadone were 33% less likely to have opioid-positive drug tests and 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment.

Major Drawbacks

Methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation causing heart issues, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines. Close monitoring and dosage adjustments are necessary to mitigate these risks.

Comparison to Other Medications

Studies found methadone and buprenorphine equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use. Buprenorphine has a lower risk profile and is easier to access through office-based treatment. Patient preferences and needs determine optimal medication choice.

Methadone has demonstrated effectiveness but also potential safety concerns requiring careful patient monitoring and management.

About Green Bay

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Green Bay is located in northeastern Wisconsin in Brown County along the shore of Green Bay, an inlet of Lake Michigan. It borders the state of Michigan with the cities of Menominee, Escanaba, and Iron Mountain, Michigan just across the bay.

Capital and Largest City

Madison is the capital and largest city in Wisconsin while Milwaukee is the largest city in the state. Green Bay is the third largest city in Wisconsin.

Land Area

The land area of Green Bay is approximately 55.96 square miles.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Green Bay is 104,719 as of the 2020 census.

Demographics:

Gender

• Male: 51%
• Female: 49%

Age Brackets

• Under 18 years: 22.1%
• 18 to 64 years: 62.3%
• 65 years and over: 15.6%

Occupations

• Management, business, science and arts occupations: 34.3%
• Sales and office occupations: 24.2%
• Service occupations: 18.2%
• Production, transportation and material moving occupations: 13.7%
• Natural resources, construction and maintenance occupations: 9.5%