Glen Dale, Marshall County, West Virginia, United States 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:
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and accredited by an independent accreditation body.
- Staff must complete required training and licensing.
- Regular inspections are conducted to ensure compliance.
Benefits of medication-assisted treatment:
- Methadone helps opioid addicted individuals stabilize their lives and reduce illicit opioid use.
- It relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- It allows patients to focus on their health, family, and work.
How clinics operate and their purpose:
- Clinics provide methadone doses for patients to take daily under supervision.
- This allows patients to function normally without impairment.
- Counseling and other support services are offered to help patients recover.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid, Medicare and many private insurances cover methadone treatment.
- Some clinics offer sliding scale fees based on income for uninsured patients.
Free clinics:
- Some nonprofit clinics offer free methadone treatment funded by grants and donations.
- These clinics provide vital services to low income and uninsured community members.
Drug Use in Glen Dale
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In West Virginia specifically:
- There were 883 drug overdose deaths in 2016, one of the highest rates in the country
- Prescription opioids and heroin are the main drivers of overdose deaths
Most commonly used substances:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prescription opioids
- Heroin
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typical length of stay is 28 days
- Services include medical detoxification, individual and group counseling, medication management
Outpatient Treatment
- Services provided 1-5 days per week for several hours per day
- Located in clinics, private practices, hospitals
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 10-20% of people with a substance use disorder do not report what type of treatment they receive
Comparison of Treatment Availability
| Glen Dale | Wheeling | |
| # of Treatment Facilities | 15 | 35 |
| Inpatient Beds Available | 50 | 150 |
| 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, similar to other opioid drugs. However, it does not produce the same level of euphoria or sedation. Methadone is taken orally once daily in tapering or maintenance doses as part of opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it does help individuals with opioid addiction rebuild their lives, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows MAT with methadone or buprenorphine is more effective for treating opioid addiction than abstinence-only programs.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with required monitoring to prevent misuse:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 random tests in the first year to detect illicit drug use.
- Take-home doses: Limited to a 24-hour Supply in the first 14 days, with gradual increases allowed over time.
- Program oversight: OTPs must have an interprofessional team overseeing treatment plans.
- Prescription checks: Clinicians should review the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data to ensure safe methadone dosage.
As a Schedule II controlled substance, methadone access and distribution are regulated by federal and West Virginia state laws.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT option that:
- Reduces opioid use, based on 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- Increases treatment retention 4.44 times more likely than non-medication programs
- Lowers risk of disease transmission and overdose death
- May increase rates of employment
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use and retaining people in treatment. Overall, methadone is very effective at treating opioid addiction, but requires careful management due to risks.
About Glen Dale
Glen Dale is located in Marshall County in the Northern Panhandle region of West Virginia, United States. Marshall County borders Ohio to the northwest and Pennsylvania to the northeast. The capital and largest city in West Virginia is Charleston. Glen Dale covers approximately 1.6 square miles of land area.
Infrastructure in Glen Dale includes:
- Road networks
- Public utilities
- Glen Dale railroad yard
Population Statistics
The total population of Glen Dale is around 1,500 residents.
Demographics:
- Gender: Approximately 48% male and 52% female
- Age Brackets:
- Under 18 years old: 19%
- 18 to 65 years old: 57%
- Over 65 years old: 24%
- Occupations:
- Management/Professional: 32%
- Service Industry: 23%
- Sales/Office Support: 15%
- Construction/Maintenance: 11%
- Production/Transportation: 19%