Rules and Regulations
Colorado City, Mohave County, Arizona 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. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of care.
Certification Procedures
To be certified, methadone clinics in Colorado City must:
- Be accredited by SAMHSA
- Renew accreditation and licenses annually
- Maintain detailed patient records
- Employ certified medical staff
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction can:
- Reduce illicit opioid use and relapse risk
- Lower risk of overdose
- Allow people to function and participate in society
- Help people gain control over addiction
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to people addicted to opioids. Patients must visit the clinic daily to receive methadone doses until they meet program requirements for take-home doses. Clinics offer counseling and require frequent drug testing. The purpose is to treat addiction through evidence-based medical and behavioral therapies.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid and Medicare may cover methadone treatment. Some private insurers cover it but there may be out-of-pocket costs. Uninsured patients pay out-of-pocket but some clinics offer payment assistance. There are also government-funded treatment programs available to low-income residents.
Drug Use in Colorado City
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Arizona specifically:
- Over 2,300 opioid overdose deaths occurred in 2020
- Over 4,500 fentanyl overdoses reported in 2021
- Methamphetamine and cocaine also widely used
Sources: Arizona Department of Health Services, CDC
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Average stay 30-90 days
- Detoxification, counseling, group therapy, medication
- 24/7 care and supervision
Outpatient Treatment
- Sessions 1-5 times per week
- Individual and group counseling
- Referrals for medical care
- Flexible schedules
Treatment Level Unreported
Estimated 40% of those with substance abuse disorder do not receive any formal treatment
According to SAMHSA and other federal data.
Comparison to Lake Havasu City
| Category | Colorado City | Lake Havasu City |
| Treatment centers | 2 | 5 |
| Inpatient beds | 20 | 100 |
| Cost of treatment | $15,000/mo | $10,000/mo |
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 withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain, while also blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. It is taken orally once daily in liquid or tablet form. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs provide comprehensive treatment services in addition to the medication itself.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment explain both the benefits and risks involved. While MMT helps stabilize individuals and reduce illegal opioid use and associated crime, there are also concerns about diversion and misuse potential. Careful monitoring and regulations aim to maximize benefits while minimizing harms.
Methadone Distribution
MMT programs follow strict federal and state regulations around distribution and monitoring, including:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to detect continued drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home Supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour Supply to reduce the risk of diversion or overdose. More take-home doses may be allowed over time for stable patients.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including counselors, social workers, nurses, and doctors to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully cross-reference other opioid prescriptions with methadone dosage, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.
In Arizona, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, with special regulations around MMT distribution.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show MMT reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. Patients in MMT have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication approaches. Retention in treatment reduces overdose and disease transmission risk and increases employment opportunities.
However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion and severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly. It can also prolong the QT interval on ECGs, increasing cardiac issues. Combining methadone with other substances like benzodiazepines increases the risks of respiratory depression and overdose. Compared to buprenorphine, methadone has similar efficacy for reducing illicit opioid use, but a higher risk profile requiring careful management.
About Colorado City
Location, Mohave County & Neighbouring States
Colorado City is located in Mohave County in northwest Arizona. The state of Utah borders Colorado City to the north, and the states of Nevada and California are to the west and south, respectively.
Capital and Largest City
Phoenix is the capital and largest city in Arizona.
Land Area
Colorado City has a total area of 8.9 square miles.
Infrastructure
- Municipal buildings
- Churches
- Small local businesses
- Residential homes
- Utilities including water, electricity, etc.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Colorado City is estimated at around 5,000 residents.
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 47%
- 18 to 64 years: 47%
- 65 years and over: 6%
Occupations
- Agriculture/ranching: 18%
- Education/Healthcare: 15%
- Construction: 12%
- Retail: 11%
- Other: 44%