Glendale Luke AFB, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act.
Rules and Regulations:
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
- Staff must undergo background checks
- Detailed patient records must be kept
- Safe dispensing and storage of medication is mandated
To be certified, clinics must:
- Meet facility standards for security and patient privacy
- Employ state-licensed staff including medical director, physicians, nurses and counselors
- Establish treatment plans and consent forms for patients
- Pass inspections on a regular basis
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, including the use of methadone, has been shown to:
- Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
- Lower transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis
- Enable patients to improve health and social functioning
Insurance Coverage
- Free clinics available through Veterans Health Administration
- Public and private insurance accepted at most healthcare facilities
- Details on insurance coverage can be found at city, county, state, and federal government websites
Drug Use in Glendale Luke AFB
Opioid crisis declared public health emergency:
- In 2017, Arizona had a rate of 14.9 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 persons, higher than the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000.
- Over 2,000 opioid overdose deaths were reported in Arizona in 2020.
- The most commonly detected substances in overdose deaths in 2020 were fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
- Outpatient treatment involves periodic services for 1-2 hours 2-5 days a week. It may include counseling, therapy, medication management, and recovery meetings.
Treatment Level Unreported
- Many individuals receive treatment through private physicians, employee assistance programs, recovery groups, and other means that go unreported. Estimates suggest only 10% of those with a substance use disorder receive specialty treatment.
Comparison of Treatment in Glendale Luke AFB vs. Phoenix
| Category | Glendale Luke AFB | Phoenix |
| Treatment Facilities | 15 | 183 |
| Inpatient Beds | 120 | 1,500 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000/month | $25,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
- Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people dependent on opioids. Patients receive a daily oral dose of methadone under medical supervision.
- Methadone activates the opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same level of euphoria as other opioids. This allows people to function normally and focus on recovery. OTPs provide comprehensive treatment including counseling and support services in addition to methadone.
- There is stigma around methadone treatment despite evidence showing its effectiveness. Some view it as just substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows methadone helps people stay in treatment, reduce opioid use, and improve social functioning when combined with counseling and support services.
- Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication that tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid. This stops cravings and withdrawal sickness. People can take a daily dose of methadone liquid under supervision at a clinic. This gives a chance to work on the reasons for opioid use with counseling.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone patients must pass at least eight urine tests in the first year to ensure they are not taking other opioids.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, patients must take the daily methadone dose at the clinic. After meeting certain requirements, take-home doses can be allowed.
- Monitoring: Methadone clinics have an interprofessional team of doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers to provide comprehensive treatment.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Doctors check the state prescription database before prescribing methadone to ensure safe dosing, as methadone overdose risk increases when combining it with other medications.
Glendale Luke AFB, Arizona methadone regulations:
Arizona has opioid treatment programs that dispense methadone under DEA and state regulations. Methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, requiring strict oversight to lower diversion risk.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness:
- Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime.
- Patients had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests.
- They were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment with methadone.
- Staying in treatment reduces overdose risk and infectious disease transmission while increasing employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks:
Methadone does have risks including potential for misuse and diversion.
- Withdrawal symptoms can be severe if methadone is stopped suddenly.
- Some patients develop QTc prolongation or other cardiac issues.
- It can cause respiratory depression and overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines.
Comparison to Other Medications:
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use when provided with counseling and psychosocial support.
Conclusion:
Methadone is beneficial but also has risks requiring careful management.
About Glendale Luke AFB
Glendale Luke AFB is located in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Maricopa County borders the states of:
Phoenix is the capital and largest city in Arizona. Maricopa County has a total land area of 9,224 sq miles.
Key infrastructure in the county includes:
- Luke Air Force Base
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Interstate highway system
- Rail networks
- Power plants
Population Statistics
The population of Maricopa County is 4,485,414 (2020 estimate).
Demographics:
Gender:
- Male: 49.4%
- Female: 50.6%
Age brackets:
- Under 18 years: 23.2%
- 18 to 64 years: 61.3%
- 65 years and over: 15.5%
Occupations:
Major occupations include: education, healthcare, retail, technology, tourism, construction, transportation.