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Louisiana adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, which are overseen by the Louisiana Department of Health and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Clinics must follow guidelines related to patient limits, security, dispensing procedures, and more.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics in Louisiana must register with the DEA and acquire a controlled substances license
- Complete application requirements stipulated by the Louisiana Department of Health
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment has been shown to:
- Reduce risk of overdose
- Improve patient survival rates
- Support long-term recovery by reducing cravings and withdrawal
- Allow people to improve their health, employment status, and relationships
How Clinics Operate
Methadone clinics provide supervised medication and counseling to support recovery from opioid addiction. Key services include:
- Methadone dosing
- Health assessments
- Individual and group counseling
- Case management
- Referrals to community resources
Insurance Coverage
- Some methadone clinics in Louisiana offer treatment on a sliding scale based on a patient’s income and ability to pay
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment costs for qualifying low-income adults in Louisiana
- Some private insurance plans help cover treatment, but coverage varies widely
Drug Use in Louisiana
Key substances involved in overdoses:
- Opioids – 1,544 overdose deaths in 2019
- Cocaine – 393 overdose deaths
- Psychostimulants like methamphetamine – 132 deaths
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typically 28-30 day residential programs with 24/7 medical/psychiatric care
- Services: Detoxification, individual/group counseling, medication management
Outpatient Treatment
- Regular services at a clinic for 4-8 hours a week
- Services: Counseling, therapy, medication management
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 38% of facilities did not report their treatment level in recent state surveys
Comparison of Treatment in Louisiana vs. Neighboring Major City
| Category | New Orleans, LA | Houston, TX |
| Number of treatment facilities | 163 | 411 |
| Inpatient beds available | 1,720 | 3,847 |
| Average cost of inpatient treatment | $7,500/month | $6,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). As part of opioid treatment programs (OTPs), methadone helps prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain in a slow, stable way.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment vary greatly. While some view it as merely substituting one opioid for another, research shows that properly monitored MAT helps people recover functioning lives.
In layman’s terms, methadone tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid, allowing people to withdraw safely.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with required monitoring including:
- Urine testing at least eight times in the first treatment year.
- Limited 24-hour take-home Supply for the first 14 days.
- Interprofessional care teams overseeing treatment.
- Checking prescription drug monitoring data to inform proper methadone dosage.
Louisiana categorizes methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to effectively treat opioid addiction since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone MAT:
- Reduces opioid-positive urine tests by 33%
- Makes people 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
Staying in treatment reduces overdose risk and increases employment.
Major Drawbacks
Issues include potential for misuse, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation, respiratory depression when combined with other substances.
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone is equally as effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use.
Conclusion
Methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks requiring careful management.
About Louisiana
Louisiana is located in the southern United States, bordering Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas. Parishes serve as Louisiana’s counties.
- Capital and largest city: Baton Rouge and New Orleans
- Land area: 43,204 square miles
Major infrastructure includes the Mississippi River system, Intracoastal Waterway, and over 50,000 miles of highways.
Population Statistics
Louisiana has a population of 4,657,757 residents.
Demographics:
Gender:
- 48.4% male
- 51.6% female
Age brackets:
- 22% under age 18
- 59% ages 18-64
- 19% over age 65
Top occupations:
- Office/administrative support
- Sales related
- Food preparation and service