Rules and regulations: Powersite, Missouri adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). All clinics must be certified and meet standards for dispensing and storing medications.
Certification procedures
- Clinics must be certified by SAMHSA
- Staff must meet training and licensing requirements
- Secure medication storage and dispensing protocols must be in place
- Regular state inspections enforce ongoing compliance
Benefits of medication-assisted treatment
- Allows people with opioid use disorder to function normally
- Reduces illicit and harmful opioid drug use
- Improves patient survival rates and supports long-term recovery
How clinics operate and their purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to people diagnosed with opioid use disorder. Patients visit the clinic daily to receive their prescribed dose of methadone, which relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings without causing a high. The clinics offer counseling and other services to support patients in staying in treatment and maintaining recovery.
Insurance Coverage
- Most private insurance plans and Medicaid cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without insurance.
- Grants and public funding also help support affordable treatment access. Dedicated state and federal funding often cover uninsured patients.
Drug Use in Powersite
Opioid Crisis Declared Public Health Emergency
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- In 2020, there were 1,100 overdose deaths involving opioids in Missouri – a 45% increase from 2019.
- Overdose deaths from synthetic opioids other than methadone increased by 55% from 2019 to 2020.
- Taney County reported 5 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in 2021.
Data on Prevalence of Different Substances
- Alcohol, methamphetamines, prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl are among the most commonly abused substances in Taney County and Powersite.
- An estimated 8% of Powersite residents struggle with a substance use disorder.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typically 28 days, with detox, counseling, group therapy, medical care.
Outpatient Treatment
- 1-5 visits per week for counseling, group support, medication management. Offered at clinics, hospitals, and recovery centers.
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 40% of those with addiction in Powersite receive no formal treatment. Barriers include cost, availability, social stigma.
Comparison of Treatment in Powersite vs. Major City
| Category | Powersite | Springfield |
| Treatment centers | 3 | 12 |
| Inpatient beds | 50 | 300 |
| Cost of treatment | $15,000 | $10,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and block euphoric effects of other opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs). It allows patients to function normally without the disruption of chasing drugs or dealing with withdrawal.
Methadone activates the opioid receptors in the brain providing relief from withdrawal and cravings without inducing a euphoric high. This allows patients to focus on recovery without being impaired or sedated. Methadone is only provided through accredited and regulated opioid treatment programs with observed daily dosing. This reduces diversion risks and ensures appropriate prescribing and monitoring.
Methadone treatment is controversial with some seeing it as merely replacing one addiction for another. However, research shows methadone helps patients improve social functioning and employment. Many experts argue methadone gives patients stability so they can work on recovery. When properly regulated, methadone saves lives by reducing overdoses and disease transmission.
Methadone tricks the brain receptors into thinking they are getting the opioids from heroin or pain pills without getting the patient high or impairing them. This stops cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Taken properly as prescribed in a treatment program, methadone allows the patient to live a normal life and work on recovery.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure they are not using other opioids or substances.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home Supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour Supply. More take-home doses are allowed over time for stable patients meeting requirements.
- 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 a patient receives, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.
Powersite State drug classifications
Details provided from state prescription monitoring and ONDCP data
- Missouri classifies drugs into 5 schedules based on medical use and potential for abuse
- Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse
- Schedules II-V have accepted medical uses with decreasing potentials for abuse
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
- Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime.
- Methadone patients have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests.
- They are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which reduces overdose and disease transmission risks while increasing employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks
There is potential for misuse and diversion with methadone.
- Patients may develop severe withdrawal symptoms if methadone is stopped suddenly.
- Some patients develop QTc prolongation or other cardiac issues.
- There is also a risk of respiratory depression or overdose when methadone is combined with alcohol or other substances, requiring careful monitoring.
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone is equally as effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use and supporting recovery.
Conclusion
Methadone has demonstrated benefits for treating opioid addiction but also risks requiring careful management under monitoring from a treatment program.
About Powersite
Powersite is located in Taney County in southern Missouri, United States. Taney County borders the following states:
Jefferson City, located about 3 hours northeast of Powersite, is the capital and largest city in Missouri.
The land area of Taney County is 658 square miles.
Key infrastructure facts about Taney County and the Powersite area include:
- Table Rock Lake provides hydroelectric power to the region.
- Highway 160 and Route 76 are important transportation routes.
- The Branson Airport serves commercial air travel needs.
Population Statistics
The population of Taney County is approximately 56,000 residents.
Demographics
- Gender: 51% female, 49% male
- Age Brackets:
- Under 18 years old: 19%
- 18 to 65 years old: 58%
- Over 65 years old: 23%
- Occupations:
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services (32%)
- Educational services, healthcare, and social assistance (18%)
- Retail trade (13%)