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- Rules and regulations: Oklahoma adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.
- Certification procedures involve licensing reviews, staff credentialing, security protocols, patient care standards, and reporting requirements.
- Benefits of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone include reduced opioid cravings, decreased illicit opioid use, and lower overdose mortality rates.
- Clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing, drug testing, individual and group therapy, case management, and aftercare planning to support recovery.
Insurance Coverage
- Free clinics: Some clinics offer treatment free of charge or on an income-based sliding scale according to patient financial hardship.
- Public and private insurance coverage details: Most clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare and various private insurance plans. However, coverage specifics for methadone treatment can vary by insurer regarding copays, preauthorization, and covered services. Uninsured patients may qualify for state-funded addiction treatment to cover methadone therapy costs.
Drug Use in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma declared an opioid state of emergency in 2018 as overdose deaths continue rising.
- In 2021 there were over 800 drug overdose deaths reported statewide, half involving opioids. Meth and cocaine deaths also increased.
- Widespread issues persist with prescription opioid misuse along with heroin and alcohol abuse.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Inpatient facilities provide medically-managed 24/7 care including detox, individual/group therapy, case management, and discharge services.
- Typical stays last 28-90 days on average depending on condition severity.
Outpatient Treatment
- Outpatient programs deliver scheduled addiction therapy and medication management while patients reside offsite.
- Treatment normally involves 1-5 visits weekly, ranging from 1-4 hours per visit.
Treatment Level Unreported
Approximately 16% of Oklahomans receiving addiction treatment do not specify inpatient or outpatient services.
Comparison of Treatment in Oklahoma vs. Neighboring Major City
| Category | Oklahoma City, OK | Dallas, TX |
| # of treatment facilities | 145 | 258 |
| Inpatient beds available | 657 | 1,913 |
| Cost per day | $175-700 | $300-975 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
- Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It activates receptors to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- There are differing societal perspectives on methadone treatment. Supporters emphasize benefits while critics argue it substitutes one opioid for another.
- In layman’s terms, methadone relieves opioid addiction symptoms in a structured medical setting.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution follows strict federal and state regulations:
- Urine testing: Patients complete at least 8 random drug tests the first treatment year.
- Take-home requirements: Maximum 1 week’s Supply after 90 days of compliant treatment.
- Monitoring: Interdisciplinary teams oversee dosing, counseling, case management and discharge planning.
- Prescription monitoring: Clinicians review PDMP data to coordinate care safely.
In Oklahoma, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been an effective opioid addiction treatment since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, HIV risk behaviors, and criminal behavior:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive urine tests
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
Treatment retention correlates to lower mortality rates and improved employment outcomes.
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped abruptly
- Risk of QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression and overdose combined with CNS depressants
Comparison to Other Medications
Research finds methadone and buprenorphine equally effective for reducing illicit opioid use.
Conclusion
Methadone has demonstrated benefits yet also risks requiring careful oversight.
About Oklahoma
- Oklahoma is located in the South Central region, bordering Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.
- The capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.
- Oklahoma covers 69,899 square miles of land area.
- Major infrastructure includes highways, railroads, airports, and inland waterway ports.
Population Statistics
As of the 2020 census, Oklahoma has 3,959,353 residents statewide.
Demographics:
Gender:
- 51% female, 49% male
Age brackets:
- 23% under 18
- 59% between 18-65
- 18% over 65
Top Occupations:
- Management, Business, Science & Arts
- Sales & Office Occupations
- Transportation & Material Moving Occupations