| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Center Medical Services | 5689 South Redwood Road Suite 30 Salt Lake City, UT 84123 | (801) 268-1715 |
| De Novo Services | 339 East 3900 South #155 Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 | (801) 263-1056 |
| Discovery House Utah | 449 East 2100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84115 | |
| Discovery House Utah Inc | 449 East 2100 South Street Salt Lake City, UT 84115 | (801) 596-2111 |
| Institute of Change | 2760 South 1140 East Suite 10 Salt Lake City, UT 84106 | (801) 487-0487 |
| Journey At Willowcreek Family Tree Center LLC | 8072 South Highland Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84121 | (800) 453-2124 |
| Metamorphosis Salt Lake City | 164 East 5900 South Suite 101 Salt Lake City, UT 84107 | |
| Primary Childrens Medical Center Wasatch Canyons Campus | 5770 South 1500 West Building A Salt Lake City, UT 84123 | (801) 265-3142 |
| Project Reality | 150 East 700 South Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 | (801) 364-8080 |
| Tranquility Place | 525 South 300 East Suite 150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 |
Rules and Regulations
Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County adhere to federal and state regulations regarding opioid treatment programs (OTPs) providing methadone treatment, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Certification Procedures
All methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state. They must meet standards of dispensing and dosing methadone as well as providing counseling services to clients. Staff must complete training and continuing education on substance abuse treatment.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
The benefits of MAT with methadone include:
- Reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allowing individuals to focus on their recovery
- Lowering the risk of overdose
- Improving health outcomes when combined with therapy
How Clinics Operate
Certified clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing as well as evaluation, substance abuse counseling, and behavioral therapy in an outpatient setting. Their purpose is to facilitate recovery for people with opioid use disorder.
Insurance Coverage
Some clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Options also include state-funded treatment programs and payment assistance for those who qualify.
Drug Use in Salt Lake City
In 2017, President Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Utah has not been immune, with rising rates of overdose deaths and substance use disorders.
- In 2020, there were about 358 overdose deaths in Utah involving opioids. This translates to a rate of 10.5 deaths per 100,000 persons, compared to the national rate of 20.6 per 100,000.
- Alcohol, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs are commonly misused substances in Utah alongside opioids like heroin.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typically lasts 28 days or longer depending on individual needs
- 24/7 medical monitoring and counseling
- Group and individual therapy, medication management
Outpatient Treatment
- Sessions 1-5 days per week for several hours at a time
- Provided at clinics, health centers, etc.
- Includes therapy, support groups, medication
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 9% of facilities did not report their treatment level in recent surveys
- This may represent certain small practices and informal support groups
Comparison of Salt Lake City to Provo
| Category | Salt Lake City | Provo |
| Treatment Facilities | 89 | 32 |
| Inpatient Beds | 1,267 | 496 |
| Cost of Treatment | $25,000 | $15,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs provide daily supervised methadone doses and counseling. This opioid treatment program (OTP) model helps stabilize patients and reduce illicit opioid use.
Society has mixed views on methadone treatment. Supporters see it as an evidence-based treatment that improves outcomes. Critics view it as merely substituting one opioid for another. However, research shows MMT helps patients recover functioning and reduce overdose deaths when combined with psychosocial support.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is strictly monitored:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 urine tests in the first year to detect illicit drug use.
- Take-home doses: For the first 14 days, methadone is only provided as daily supervised on-site doses. More take-home doses are allowed over time for patients who follow program rules.
- Interprofessional team: MMT programs require doctors, nurses, counselors, and social workers.
- Prescription monitoring: Providers should check the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure safe opioid dosing due to methadone’s narrow therapeutic window.
Opioids, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids are classified as Schedule I-V controlled substances by the Utah Controlled Substances Act, overseen by the Utah Department of Commerce.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show MMT is an effective treatment:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive urine tests for patients in MMT versus controls.
- Patients in MMT were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Treatment retention reduces overdose risk and infectious disease transmission while improving employment.
However, methadone does have risks:
- Potential for misuse and diversion of take-home doses.
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly due to a long half-life.
- QTc prolongation and cardiac issues in some patients.
- Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with benzodiazepines and alcohol.
Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing illicit opioid use. However, methadone may have slight advantages for patient retention and cost. Overall, the benefits outweigh the risks with careful patient monitoring and psychosocial support.
About Salt Lake City
Location, Salt Lake County & Neighboring States
Salt Lake City is the capital and largest city in Utah. It is located in Salt Lake County in the north-central part of the state. Utah borders the following states:
Capital and Largest City
As mentioned, Salt Lake City serves as both the capital and largest city in Utah.
Land Area
Salt Lake City covers an area of about 110 square miles. Salt Lake County covers about 764 square miles.
Population Statistics
The population of Salt Lake City proper is approximately 200,567 as of 2019. The population of Salt Lake County is approximately 1,152,633.
Total Population
The total population in Salt Lake City and County continues to grow steadily.
Demographics
Gender
The gender breakdown is close to 50/50 male and female.
Age Brackets
The city and county have a relatively young population, with over 50% under 35 years old. There is also a sizable retiree population.
Occupations
Major industries that employ Salt Lake City and County residents include technology, financial services, transportation, education, healthcare, retail, and food services. The largest employers are the University of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, and the State of Utah.