| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Door County Department of Health and Human Services | 421 Nebraska Street, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 54235 | (920) 7467-155 |
- Rules and regulations: Door adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the DEA, SAMHSA, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
- Certification procedures involve licensing, accreditation, staff credentials, dispensing protocols, and security measures.
- Benefits of medication-assisted treatment with methadone include reduced opioid use, overdoses, and transmissioan of infections like HIV and hepatitis.
- Clinics proavide daily supervised methadone dosing, counseling, drug testing, and case management to treat opioid addiction on an outpatient basis.
Insurance Coverage
- Free clinics provide treatment at no upfront cost to clients based on grant funding and donations.
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment fees, counseling, and testing for enrollees.
- Private insurance coverage varies widely – some plans cover limited treatment elements like therapy or testing only after high deductibles. Many offer no coverage for methadone specifically.
Drug Use in Door
- The opioid epidemic was declared a statewide public health emergency in Wisconsin in 2017.
- In 2020, Door County recorded 5 opioid overdose deaths, up from 2 deaths in 2019.
- Most commonly abused substances are prescription opioids, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and methamphetamine.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Medically-managed detox and intense therapy in a specialty facility 24/7.
- Typical stays last 30-90 days.
- Services cover stabilization, counseling, aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
- Up to 5 days a week for 1-5 hours of services without an overnight stay.
- Provided at clinics and health centers countywide.
Treatment Level Unreported
Approximately 39% of people receive unreported addiction treatment.
(Details from SAMHSA and DHS data)
Comparison of Treatment in Door County vs. Green Bay
| Category | Door County | Green Bay |
| Treatment Centers | 2 | 14 |
| Inpatient Beds | 12 | 96 |
| Cost of Treatment | $8,000/month | $12,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
- Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It activates opioid receptors, blocking euphoric opioid effects and relieving withdrawal symptoms.
- Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps many recover, some view substituting one opioid for another skeptically.
- In layman’s terms, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it’s still getting the problem opioid, allowing people dependent on opioids to function and stabilize their lives.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution follows strict monitoring regulations in Wisconsin:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight drug tests in the first treatment year.
- Take-home requirements: The methadone supply is limited to a daily dose for the first 14 days.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs require oversight by an interprofessional team.
- Prescription monitoring: Clinicians review PDMP data to carefully titrate dosing due to methadone’s narrow therapeutic index.
In Door County, methadone is classified as a DEA Schedule II controlled prescription drug.
(Details from WI PDMP and DEA)
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been effectively used since 1947 to treat opioid addiction.
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
Remaining in treatment lowers overdose risk and increases employment.
However, major drawbacks include:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression and overdose risk when combined with other substances
- Research found methadone and buprenorphine equally reduced illicit opioid use.
- In conclusion, methadone has benefits but also risks necessitating careful administration.
About Door
- Door County is located in northeastern Wisconsin, bordering Lake Michigan. Neighboring counties include Brown, Kewaunee, and Marinette.
- The county seat and largest city is Sturgeon Bay.
- Door County covers 1,046 square miles of land area.
- Infrastructure includes State Highways 42, 57, and the Cherryland Airport.
Population Statistics
The population of Door County is approximately 27,200 as of 2020 census data.
Gender demographics:
- 49% male
- 51% female
Age brackets:
- 18% under 18
- 58% age 18-65
- 24% over 65
Major occupations:
- 13% arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- 12% construction
- 12% retail trade
