| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Third Avenue Clinic Member of CRC Health Group | 1161 3rd Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91911 | (619) 498-8260 |
| Third Avenue Comprehensive Treatment Center | 1155 Third Ave Chula Vista, CA 91911 |
Rules and Regulations
Chula Vista, San Diego County, California, United States adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics. These regulations govern the storage, administration, and dispensing of methadone.
Certification Procedures
All methadone clinics must be certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and licensed by the state. Staff must complete comprehensive training programs before dispensing methadone.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows people to regain stability and function normally
- Facilitates engagement in counseling and behavioral therapies
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to people diagnosed with an opioid use disorder. Patients visit the clinic daily to receive a liquid dose of methadone under supervision. The dose helps mitigate withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing a strong high. Over time, patients may progress to less intensive treatment.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept various insurances including Medicaid and Medicare. Uninsured patients may qualify for state-funded treatment or sliding-scale fees based on income.
Drug Use in Chula Vista
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In San Diego County, prescription opioid overdose deaths quadrupled from 202 to 858 between 2000-2020, while heroin overdose deaths rose over 6-fold from 34 to 237 over the same period.
Key statistics on drug use prevalence locally:
- 7.3% of San Diego County residents report illicit drug dependence or abuse in the past year
- Marijuana (15.2%) and prescription opioids (4.8%) are the most commonly used illicit drugs
- Fentanyl-involved deaths increased over 18-fold from 33 in 2016 to 603 in 2021
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervised care including detoxification, counseling, group therapy, and aftercare planning. Average stays range from 28-90 days.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer similar services to inpatient facilities but allow patients to live at home. Patients attend structured programming at least 3 days per week for at least 2 hours a day.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 38% of San Diegans needing but not receiving treatment did not specify the treatment level sought. Barriers likely include cost, availability, and social stigma.
Comparison of Treatment in Chula Vista vs. Los Angeles
| Location | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Avg. Monthly Cost |
| San Diego County | 356 | 3,410 | $6,000 |
| Los Angeles County | 672 | 5,342 | $5,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone maintenance treatment provides daily doses of methadone dispensed by opioid treatment programs (OTPs). This allows those with opioid addictions to function normally without the highs and lows of illicit opioid use.
Methadone Distribution
OTPs carefully monitor and regulate methadone distribution to patients:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure compliance.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home Supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour Supply. After 90 days of compliance, take-home doses can be increased gradually.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including counselors, social workers, and medical staff to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference opioid dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window.
In Chula Vista, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance monitored by the DEA and state PDMP.
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, and crime:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease transmission risk and increases employment
However, methadone does have some major drawbacks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose risk when combined with other substances
Methadone is equally as effective as buprenorphine in reducing opioid use. While it has risks requiring careful management, methadone’s benefits make it a widely used medication for opioid addiction treatment.
About Chula Vista
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Chula Vista is located in San Diego County in southern California. It borders the city of San Diego to the north and Mexico to the south. Neighboring states are Arizona to the east and Nevada to the north.
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in California is Sacramento.
Land Area
The land area of Chula Vista is approximately 52 square miles.
Infrastructure
As the second largest city in San Diego County, Chula Vista has a robust infrastructure system including:
- Public transportation system with buses and trolley lines
- State highways and interstate freeways
- International airport
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Chula Vista is approximately 270,471 as of 2021.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 24.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 62.3%
- 65 years and over: 13.3%
Occupations
The top occupations in Chula Vista are:
- Office and administrative support
- Sales related
- Management
- Business and financial operations
- Education, training, and library