| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| BHG Longmont Treatment Center | 850 23rd Avenue Unit A Longmont, CO 80501 | |
| Boulder County Public Health Addiction Recovery Centers | 529 Coffman Street Suite 200 Longmont, CO 80501 | (303) 678-6166 |
Rules and Regulations
Longmont, Boulder, Colorado adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the State Department of Health and the DEA. Clinics must be certified and licensed to prescribe and dispense methadone.
Certification Procedures
To operate legally in Longmont and Boulder, methadone clinics must:
- Be inspected and certified by the State Department of Health
- Obtain a DEA registration to dispense methadone
- Have a medical director who is licensed to prescribe methadone
- Follow stringent security and record-keeping protocols
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone maintenance therapy provides many benefits, such as:
- Reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allowing normalization of brain chemistry
- Improving health and social functioning
- Lowering the risk of overdose and transmitting diseases
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to people with opioid use disorder. Patients visit daily to receive their prescribed methadone dose onsite. The clinics offer counseling and other services to support recovery. The purpose is to mitigate withdrawal symptoms and reduce illicit opioid use.
Insurance Coverage
Many private insurance plans and Medicaid cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer sliding scale fees based on income. There are also government-funded programs that provide low-cost or free methadone treatment. Patients should check with their insurance provider and the clinic to determine coverage. Public funding is available for those who qualify.
Drug Use in Longmont
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in Colorado. Key statistics on overdoses and deaths in the state include:
- There were 1,477 drug overdose deaths in 2020, a 34% increase from 2019 (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment)
- Prescription opioids were involved in 416 overdose deaths in 2021 (CDPHE)
- Methamphetamine contributed to 656 overdose deaths in 2021, nearly double the number in 2020 (CDPHE)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient addiction treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. Services include medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient addiction treatment consists of periodic services for 4-12 weeks usually, including counseling, group support meetings, and medical checks. Care is provided at clinics, private practices, or recovery centers.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 18.2% of Colorado residents needed but did not receive addiction treatment in 2021 per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Stigma, cost, and access issues prevent many from seeking appropriate levels of care.
Comparison of Treatment in Longmont vs. Denver
| Category | Longmont, Boulder | Denver |
| Number of treatment facilities | 25 | 63 |
| Inpatient beds available | 500 | 850 |
| Approximate cost of treatment | $15,000 | $25,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs as part of opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It activates opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms from other opioids. This allows people dependent on opioids to stabilize their lives and reduce their risk of overdose.
Methadone activates the same opioid receptors as drugs like heroin or oxycodone, but because it is taken orally and lasts longer, it does not cause the same cycle of intense euphoria and distress. It reduces opioid cravings and blocks the euphoric effects of other opioids. OTPs provide counseling and structure to help patients change their behavior.
There is a stigma against MAT, as some view replacing one opioid with another as “substituting one addiction for another.” However, research shows MAT helps patients improve social functioning and quality of life. With support, patients can hold jobs, have relationships, and contribute positively to society.
In simple terms, methadone fools the brain and body into thinking they are still getting the opioids that caused dependence originally. This stops painful withdrawals and cravings. Over time, the proper methadone dose helps opioid-dependent individuals feel normal again.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly monitored with various controls:
- Urine testing: Patients must pass at least 8 urine tests for illegal drugs in the first year. More frequent testing helps ensure compliance.
- Take-home requirement: For the first 14 days, take-home methadone is limited to a 1-day Supply. More take-homes are allowed over time for patients who follow program rules.
- Monitoring: OTPs should have doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers monitoring patient progress. Team oversight improves outcomes.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Providers should check the state PDMP to avoid dangerous drug interactions since methadone overdose risk increases if combined with certain medications.
Methadone is a Schedule II controlled medication in Colorado, indicating accepted medical use but also potential for abuse. Heroin, oxycodone, and morphine are also Schedule II. Marijuana is Schedule I.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show participants on MAT with methadone are 33% less likely to have opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which reduces disease transmission risk through shared needles and increases chances for employment.
Major Drawbacks
Methadone does still have risks including misuse and diversion, difficult withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly, possible QTc prolongation or cardiac issues, and respiratory depression or overdose danger if combined with certain other substances. Careful patient monitoring is crucial for safety.
Comparison to Other Medications
About Longmont
Location, Boulder County & Neighboring States
Longmont is located in Boulder County in the U.S. state of Colorado. Colorado borders New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah.
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in Colorado is Denver.
Land Area
The land area of Longmont is approximately 25.9 square miles. Boulder has a total area of 25.7 square miles.
Infrastructure
- Main highways: I-25, Highway 287, Highway 66
- Public transportation: buses, commuter rail
Population Statistics
Total Population
The estimated population of Longmont is 99,980 as of 2021. The population of Boulder is approximately 108,250 residents.
Demographics:
Gender
- Longmont: 49.4% male, 50.6% female
- Boulder: 51.6% male, 48.4% female
Age Brackets
Longmont:
- 6.1% under 5 years
- 9.1% aged 5-14
- 16.3% aged 15-24
- 43.8% aged 25-64
- 24.7% over 65
Boulder:
- 5.2% under 5 years
- 6.2% aged 5-14
- 30.1% aged 15-24
- 52.3% aged 25-64
- 6.3% over 65
Occupations
Most common occupations in Longmont/Boulder:
- Education, healthcare & social assistance
- Professional, scientific & management
- Retail trade