Name rehabs Address Phone
Central Florida Treatment Center3155 Lake Worth Road, Suite 2, Lake Worth, FL 33461(561) 439-8440
Central Florida Treatment Center - Lake Worth Clinic 3155 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33461
Genesis House Inc4865 40th Way South Lake Worth, FL 33461(800) 737-0933

Rules and Regulations

Lake Worth adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the state’s Department of Health and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These regulations govern licensing, staffing, security, dispensing of medication, and more.

Certification Procedures

Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department. Certification requirements include security protocols, counseling services, urine drug screening, and more. Clinics must renew licenses periodically.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medication-assisted treatment has been shown to be effective in treating opioid addiction. Benefits include reducing withdrawal and cravings, allowing people to function normally and hold jobs, reducing transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis, and lowering overdose deaths.

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to treat opioid addiction. Patients receive counseling and social support services as well. The purpose is to stabilize patients, allow them to function without impairment, and give them an opportunity to make major lifestyle changes.

Insurance Coverage

Many private insurance plans and Medicaid cover methadone treatment. Medicare also recently began covering it. Some clinics operate on a sliding scale based on income for uninsured patients. Grants and public funding provide access as well.

Free Clinics

Some nonprofit clinics provide free methadone-assisted treatment to uninsured patients who meet income eligibility guidelines. These rely on grants, donations, and other public funding.

Drug Use in Lake Worth

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. According to the Florida Department of Health, in 2020 there were over 5,000 opioid-related deaths statewide. The substances most commonly involved in overdoses are:

  • Opioids – prescription opioids and heroin
  • Cocaine
  • Benzodiazepines

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 care and monitoring. Typical stays range from 28-90 days. Services include medical detoxification, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient programs offer similar services to inpatient facilities but allow the individual to live at home. Care is provided on a part-time basis through regularly scheduled appointments, typically 3 times a week for several hours a day.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of those receiving addiction treatment do not report the care setting. Reasons may include privacy concerns or involvement in unofficial support groups.

Comparison of Treatment in Lake Worth vs. West Palm Beach

Category Lake Worth West Palm Beach
Treatment Centers 15 14
Inpatient Beds 190 230
Cost of Treatment $15,000/mo $25,000/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 through a daily oral dose administered under supervision at opioid treatment programs (OTPs).

Societal perspectives on methadone treatment range from seeing it as a lifesaving addiction treatment to potentially replacing one opioid addiction with another. However, research shows that properly monitored methadone treatment can be an effective part of recovery for many people with opioid use disorder.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution through certified opioid treatment programs is carefully monitored and regulated:

  • Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unauthorized drug use.
  • Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of methadone treatment, take-home doses are limited to a one-day Supply dispensed daily under supervision. After 90 days of compliant treatment, patients may earn one take-home dose per week.
  • Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors monitoring patient progress.
  • Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and dosages prescribed, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window.

In Palm Beach County, Florida, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance subject to strict regulations on distribution through authorized OTPs.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT medication for treating opioid use disorder. Evidence includes:

  • 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for people in methadone treatment
  • Patients receiving methadone treatment are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication treatment
  • Retention in methadone treatment reduces the risk of overdose and disease transmission while increasing employment

However, methadone does carry risks including potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation and cardiac issues, and respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines. Careful patient monitoring and compliance with distribution regulations help mitigate these risks.

Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use.

In conclusion, methadone carries benefits and risks requiring careful management as medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

About Lake Worth

Location, County & List of Neighboring States

Lake Worth is located in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is situated along the Atlantic Ocean coast.

Neighboring states:

Capital and Largest City

The capital and largest city in Florida is Tallahassee.

Land Area

The land area of Lake Worth is approximately 7.14 sq miles.

Infrastructure

Lake Worth’s aging water, sewer, and road systems need upgrades. Funding constraints have delayed projects, but recent bonds approved by voters aim to improve roads, sidewalks, and drainage over the next few years.

Population Statistics

Total Population

According to the 2020 census, the population of Lake Worth was 38,980.

Demographics:

Gender

  • Male: 19,012
  • Female: 19,968

Age Brackets

  • Under 18 years: 8,103
  • 18 to 64 years: 25,564
  • 65 years and over: 5,313

Occupations

Top occupations in Lake Worth:

  • Sales and office jobs
  • Service sector jobs
  • Construction, maintenance, and repair jobs