Rules and Regulations
Gahanna adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services department. All clinics must be certified and meet standards for quality patient care.
Certification Procedures
- Clinics must be accredited and licensed
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular inspections occur to ensure compliance
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone helps individuals with opioid addiction by:
- Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing opioid cravings
- Allowing patients to focus on counseling and recovery
- Lowering the risk of overdose
MAT has been shown to be effective at helping patients recover and lead productive lives.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide MAT services to patients each day. Patients receive their medication under supervision. Clinics also provide counseling and community resources. The purpose is to facilitate recovery from opioid addiction.
Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans and Medicaid cover MAT. Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for uninsured patients.
Drug Use in Gahanna
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. According to the Ohio Department of Health, unintentional drug overdoses have been the leading cause of injury-related death in Ohio since 2007, with nearly 5,000 Ohio residents dying of an unintentional drug overdose in 2020 alone. The most common drugs involved in overdoses are:
- Opioids (prescription opioids, heroin, illicitly manufactured fentanyl)
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at facility 24/7 for detox and programming
- Typical stay is 28 days
- Services include medical care, counseling, group therapy
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend programs at facility but do not stay overnight
- Generally 3 days a week for several hours per day
- Services similar to inpatient but less intensive
Treatment Level Unreported
- Many patients do not specify treatment level
- Estimated 30-40% of patients are outpatient
Comparison of Treatment in Gahanna vs. Columbus
| Category | Gahanna | Columbus |
| # of Treatment Facilities | 3 | 15 |
| Inpatient Beds Available | 50 | 300 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000/month | $10,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent Opioid Withdrawal and cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain like other opioids. However, it does not produce the same level of euphoria or sedation, allowing those with OUD to function normally. Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs) that provide counseling and support services.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it does help many recover from opioid addiction, some view it as merely replacing one opioid with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when combined with counseling and social support.
Methadone Distribution
OTPs providing methadone must follow strict federal and state regulations including:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure compliance.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone Supply is limited to a single 24-hour dose. More take-home doses are allowed over time for compliant patients.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors monitoring patient progress.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications with methadone, which has a narrow therapeutic window.
In Gahanna, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription substance, indicating it has medical uses but also potential for abuse.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective MAT option that:
- Reduces opioid use based on 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- Improves treatment retention 4.44 times more likely than without medication
- Retention reduces overdose risk and increases employment
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation or cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose combined with other substances
Research shows methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use.
In conclusion, methadone is beneficial but requires careful management due to risks.
About Gahanna
Gahanna is located in Franklin County, Ohio. It borders Columbus to the north and west, New Albany to the northeast, and Reynoldsburg to the south and east.
Location, County & Neighboring Areas
Capital and Largest City
Capital and largest city: Columbus
Land Area
- Total area: 14.14 sq mi
- Land area: 14.09 sq mi
- Water area: 0.05 sq mi
Population Statistics
Total Population
Population: 36,758 (2020 census)
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 48%
- Female: 52%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 24.1%
- 18 to 64 years: 62.3%
- 65 years and over: 13.6%
Occupations
- Management, business, science and arts occupations: 61.2%
- Service occupations: 14.8%
- Sales and office occupations: 15.3%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 5.4%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 3.2%