Rules and Regulations
Mcallen, Hidalgo, Texas adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department.
- Staff must meet educational and training requirements.
- Facilities must meet security, counseling, and dosing requirements.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment with methadone helps individuals recovering from opioid addiction by:
- Preventing painful withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing opioid cravings
- Allowing people to focus on their recovery
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication, counseling, case management, and other services to support people in recovery from opioid addiction. Patients must visit the clinic daily to receive their prescribed methadone dose onsite. The purpose is to facilitate recovery and prevent relapse.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Some also offer sliding-scale fees or free treatment. Public funding sources that may cover treatment costs include:
- Medicaid
- Federal grants
- State and local programs
Drug Use in Mcallen
Opioid Crisis Declared Public Health Emergency
- In 2017, the opioid epidemic was declared a nationwide public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- From 1999-2017, there were almost 218,000 deaths in the United States from overdoses related to prescription opioids (CDC)
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- In 2020, there were over 93,000 drug overdose deaths reported in the U.S., including over 69,000 opioid-related deaths (CDC)
- The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in Texas was 21.6 per 100,000 persons in 2021 (CDC)
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typically lasts 28 days or more depending on individual needs
- Focuses on medical detox intensive counseling and behavioral therapies
Outpatient Treatment
- Allows patients to continue living at home while getting 1-2 hours of treatment 3 days a week
- Services take place at hospitals, clinics, or recovery centers
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 9.5% of those needing substance abuse treatment in Texas did not report the level of care received (SAMHSA)
Comparison of Treatment in McAllen vs. Brownsville
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds Available | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| McAllen | 12 | 246 beds | $15,000 |
| Brownsville | 8 | 178 beds | $12,500 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to treat opioid use disorder. Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) provide methadone under-regulated, monitored conditions to improve treatment outcomes. Methadone helps manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce opioid cravings, and block euphoric effects when continued opioid use occurs.
OTP Principle Methadone is a slow-acting agonist that binds to the same brain receptors as opioids like heroin or prescription pain relievers. This normalizes brain function disrupted by opioid addiction, allowing patients to focus on recovery without experiencing severe withdrawal or cravings. OTPs provide comprehensive treatment alongside methadone including counseling and social support services.
Methadone treatment has faced stigma over the years. Some view dependence on methadone as addiction to other opioids. However, research shows that methadone stabilizes individuals with opioid addiction. With proper treatment, many stabilize their lives, gain employment, and reduce criminal activity.
Methadone treatment gives the brain limited but stable activation of opioid receptors while blocking the strong highs/lows and cravings that drive addiction. This creates a stable baseline allowing individuals to work on long-term recovery goals.
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 other opioids are not being used.
- Take-Home Requirements During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home Supply of methadone is limited to a 24-hour Supply. Take-homes are gradually increased for stable patients.
- Monitoring
Methadone treatment programs have an interdisciplinary team of nurses, counselors, and doctors monitoring patient progress and compliance. - Prescription Drug Monitoring Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program data to carefully cross-reference opioid dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window.
State Drug Classifications In Texas, methadone is a Schedule II Controlled Substance along with other potent opioids. OTPs comply with Texas Department of State Health Services requirements for distributing methadone.
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 maintenance is:
- Associated with 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times more likely to keep people in treatment
- Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease risks and increases employment
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose risk combined with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
Methadone is equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use.
Benefits but also risks requiring careful management
About McAllen
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
McAllen is located in Hidalgo County in the U.S. state of Texas. It borders the Mexican state of Tamaulipas to the south. Neighboring states include New Mexico to the west and Louisiana to the east.
Capital and Largest City
Austin is the capital and largest city in Texas.
Land Area
McAllen has a total area of 70.4 square miles.
Infrastructure
- McAllen is served by the McAllen-Miller International Airport
- Interstate 2 and U.S. Route 83 are the main highways running through McAllen
- Public transportation is provided by the McAllen Express Transit (MET) bus system
Population Statistics
Total Population
The estimated population of McAllen in 2022 is 147,632.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 30.8%
- 18 to 65 years: 59.5%
- Over 65 years: 9.7%
Occupations
Top occupations in McAllen include healthcare, retail trade, construction, education, and hospitality services.