Rules and Regulations:
Center Ossipee, Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Certification Procedures:
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department.
- Staff must meet educational and licensing criteria set by regulatory agencies.
- Regular facility inspections enforce safety and treatment standards.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT with methadone helps individuals recovering from opioid addiction by:
- Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing opioid cravings
- Allowing patients to focus on counseling and behavioral therapies
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose:
- Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling to support individuals in recovery from opioid addiction. The goal is to help patients gain stability so they can work, go to school, and lead productive lives.
Insurance Coverage:
- Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Some also offer free or low-cost treatment based on patient income.
- Public and private insurance policies in New Hampshire are required to cover addiction treatment without extra barriers or limits.
Drug Use in Center Ossipee
In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Statistics on drug overdoses and deaths:
- In 2016, there were 397 drug overdose deaths involving opioids in New Hampshire – a rate of 30.3 deaths per 100,000 persons compared to the national rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 persons.
- The greatest increase was seen in deaths involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl – rising from 26 deaths in 2012 to 157 deaths in 2016.
Data on the prevalence of different substances:
- Alcohol, marijuana, and nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers were the 3 most commonly cited substances among treatment admissions in New Hampshire.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Inpatient treatment involves living at a treatment facility while undergoing intensive substance abuse treatment. Stays typically last 28 days but can be longer depending on individual needs. Treatment includes counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
- Outpatient treatment provides substance abuse treatment sessions periodically, usually 1-3 times a week for 1-2 hours per session. Sessions are held at a treatment facility.
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 10-20% of treatment admissions in New Hampshire did not have treatment level reported. This suggests gaps in reporting.
Comparison of Treatment in Center Ossipee vs. Manchester
| Categories | Center Ossipee | Manchester |
| Treatment facilities | 2 | 12 |
| Inpatient beds available | 16 | 124 |
| Cost of treatment | $10,000/month | $15,000/month |
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 Opioid Withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain similarly to other opioid drugs. However, it does not provide the associated euphoria or high of misused opioids.
- Methadone is taken orally once daily in tapering doses under medical supervision at opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
- Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps individuals with opioid addiction rebuild their lives, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when properly managed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with strict federal and state monitoring to prevent misuse and diversion:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year to detect any unsanctioned drug use.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, methadone is only dispensed as a single 24-hour dose. After 90 days of compliance, patients may earn one take-home dose per week, eventually building up to 30 days of take-home medication.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs utilize an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data to carefully monitor dosing, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic range.
In New Hampshire, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, with illegal possession penalties similar to other opioids.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an extremely effective MAT medication for treating opioid use disorder. Evidence includes:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for methadone patients
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication approaches
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, and HIV transmission rates, and increases employment
- Equally effective as buprenorphine in reducing self-reported opioid use
However, methadone does carry risks requiring careful oversight:
- Potential for misuse/diversion for those not clinically dependent
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possibility of QTc prolongation or cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other CNS depressants like benzodiazepines
Overall, methadone’s benefits outweigh the risks when appropriately prescribed and monitored as part of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Careful patient selection and management by an interprofessional MAT team can mitigate concerns.
About Center Ossipee
Center Ossipee is a census-designated place in the town of Ossipee in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States.
County: Carroll County
Neighbouring states:
Concord is the capital and Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire. Center Ossipee has a total area of 7.6 square miles.
Infrastructure:
Center Ossipee is connected by Route 16 and Route 25. The major airport serving the area is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
Population Statistics
The population of Center Ossipee is 2,965 as of 2010.
Demographics:
Gender:
- Male: 49.7%
- Female: 50.3%
Age brackets:
- Under 18 years: 19.2%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.3%
- 65 years and over: 21.5%
Occupations:
Top occupations are management, sales, office, production, and transportation.