| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| American Behavioral Clinic | 7330 West Layton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53220 | (414) 281-1677 |
| CRC Health - River Shore Clinic | 3707 N Richard Street Milwaukee, WI 53212 | |
| Genesis Detoxification Center | 2835 North 32nd Street Milwaukee, WI 53208 | (414) 342-6200 |
| Milwaukee Health Service Systems | 3707 North Richards Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212 | (414) 967-7006 |
| Milwaukee Health Service Systems - 10th Street Clinic | 4800 S. 10th Street Milwaukee, WI 53221 | |
| Quality Addiction Management (QAM) West Milwaukee | 1610 Miller Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53214 | (414) 672-3801 |
Rules and Regulations
Milwaukee adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Certification Procedures
All methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the DEA. Certification requires adhering to federal and state regulations on medication dispensing, counseling requirements, and patient rights. Clinics must renew licenses annually.
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 patients to focus on counseling and recovery
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to those recovering from opioid addiction. The medication prevents withdrawal symptoms for 24-36 hours. Over time, patients may progress to less intensive treatment.
Insurance Coverage
Many private insurance plans and Medicaid cover methadone treatment. Those without insurance may qualify for state funding or clinic payment plans based on income.
Free Clinics
Some clinics offer free methadone treatment funded by grants and public health programs. Eligibility is based on income, insurance status, and other factors.
Drug Use in Milwaukee
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency. Key statistics on overdoses and deaths in the state include:
- Opioid-related deaths have increased steadily from 379 in 2012 to 883 in 2020 (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
- Over 81% of overdose deaths involved opioids in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervision and comprehensive care. Typical length of stay is 28 days. Services include medical detoxification, individual and group counseling, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer services for 4-8 hours per day, 3-7 days per week. Locations are available in local communities. Services include therapy, support groups, and medication management.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10-20% of facilities do not report treatment levels to databases. This includes smaller clinics and private practices.
Comparison of Treatment in Milwaukee vs. Chicago
| Category | Milwaukee | Chicago |
| Number of treatment facilities | 135 | 223 |
| Inpatient beds available | 850 | 1,150 |
| Approximate cost of treatment | $10,000 | $15,000 |
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 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) that require daily visits for supervised dosing.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps stabilize individuals and reduce illegal opioid use and associated crime, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone and other MAT help treat the underlying disorder. Explained simply, methadone activates enough opioid receptors to prevent withdrawal and cravings without producing the same high or dangers of misuse.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly monitored and regulated:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year to detect any continued illegal drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, take-home doses are limited to a single 24-hour supply that must be consumed on-site with no exceptions. After 2 years of compliance, patients can earn a maximum 30-day supply.
- Monitoring: OTPs must have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health counselors to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s PDMP data to carefully cross-reference other opioid prescriptions with methadone, which has a narrow therapeutic window.
As an example, in Milwaukee, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance requiring proper licensing and oversight for distribution.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission through injection, and crime when treatment is maintained. Those on MAT have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV/HCV transmission from sharing needles, and increases employment.
However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation and cardiac issues, and respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines. Nonetheless, research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. So while not without risks, careful patient monitoring and management in a structured OTP setting allows methadone to provide substantial benefits.
About Milwaukee
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Milwaukee is located in southeastern Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Michigan. It is the largest city and county seat of Milwaukee County. Milwaukee is bordered by the states of:
Capital and Largest City
Madison is the capital of Wisconsin, while Milwaukee is the largest city in the state.
Land Area
The land area of Milwaukee is 96.81 square miles. Milwaukee County has a land area of 241 square miles.
Infrastructure
Milwaukee has an extensive transportation network including highways, rail, an international airport, and port facilities on Lake Michigan. Water and sewer systems serve the city though some lead service lines remain.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The total population of Milwaukee is 577,222 as of the 2010 census. The population of Milwaukee County is 947,735.
Demographics
Gender
As of the 2010 census, there were 287,348 males (49.8%) and 289,874 females (50.2%) in Milwaukee.
Age Brackets
The median age in Milwaukee is 30.7 years old. Age demographics are:
- Under 18 years: 24.1%
- 18 to 64 years: 63.3%
- 65 years and over: 12.6%
Occupations
Top occupations in Milwaukee include:
- Office and administrative support
- Sales
- Food preparation and serving
- Transportation
- Production
