Rules and Regulations
Round Rock 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. These regulations cover certification, operations, security, dispensing procedures, and more.
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state. Certification requires adhering to opioid treatment standards, having qualified staff, and maintaining adequate security and record-keeping. Clinics must renew licenses annually.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments have been shown effective for treating opioid addiction and dependence. Benefits include reducing withdrawal and cravings, allowing people to function normally and hold jobs, and greatly reducing the risk of overdose or death.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Clinics dispense daily doses of methadone to patients in a supervised clinical setting. This allows treatment while preventing misuse or diversion of the medication. Counseling and other services are also provided to support recovery. The purpose is to use medication to treat addiction like a chronic disease.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid and private insurance plans often cover methadone treatment. Coverage may include medication, counseling, health evaluations, and more. Clinics may offer payment assistance for uninsured patients.
Free Clinics
Some nonprofit clinics provide free or very low-cost treatment to uninsured or low-income patients. These rely on grants, public funding, and donations.
Drug Use in Round Rock
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Texas, drug overdoses claimed the lives of over 4,000 people in 2020 alone. The most commonly used substances in the state are:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Opioids
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows the patient to live at home while attending sessions 3-5 days a week for several hours a day over the course of a few months. Services may include therapy, support groups, and medical oversight.
Treatment Level Unreported
Many who could benefit from treatment do not report their substance use or seek help. Government surveys estimate only 10% of those with a drug use disorder receive any kind of specialty treatment.
Comparison of Treatment in Round Rock vs. Austin
| Category | Round Rock, TX | Austin, TX |
| Number of treatment facilities | 15 | 28 |
| Inpatient beds available | 250 | 410 |
| Cost of 30 days of inpatient treatment | $15,000 | $25,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone is dispensed through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) rather than prescribed, allowing daily monitoring of patients. This reduces misuse while providing steady opioid effects to stabilize patients and reduce cravings and withdrawal.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment vary, with some seeing it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows MAT with methadone or buprenorphine helps patients recover functioning and reduces the harm of untreated addiction. When properly regulated, methadone saves lives.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly monitored:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random urine tests in the first year to detect continued drug use.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days, patients must take methadone daily on-site. After 90 days of compliance, take-home doses can be allowed but are limited based on time in treatment.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs require an interprofessional team including counseling to increase effectiveness.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully manage dosing, as methadone has risks at high doses.
In Texas, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance, allowing use only through regulated OTPs.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone MAT:
Evidence for Effectiveness
- Reduces opioid-positive drug tests by 33%
- Increases treatment retention 4.44 times
- Retention reduces overdose death risk and crime while improving employment
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse and diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- QTc prolongation and cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose with other substances
Comparison to Other Medications
About Round Rock
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Round Rock is located in Williamson County, in the U.S. state of Texas. Williamson County sits adjacent to several other Texas counties, including Travis County to the south, Bell County to the northwest, Burnet County to the west, Lampasas County to the north, Milam County to the east, and Lee County to the southeast.
Capital and Largest City
Austin is the capital and largest city in Texas.
Land Area
The land area of Round Rock is 35.5 square miles.
Infrastructure
Round Rock, Texas is a fast-growing city in Williamson County known for its strong technology and business presence. It has invested heavily in infrastructure like roads, utilities, and public amenities to support its rapid population and economic growth over the past few decades.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Round Rock was 133,372 at the 2020 census.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 51%
- Female: 49%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 26.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 62.7%
- 65 years and over: 10.9%
Occupations
Top occupations in Round Rock include:
- Management, business, science, and arts: 50.3%
- Sales and office: 24.2%
- Service: 14.8%
- Production, transportation, and material moving: 10.7%