Rules and Regulations
Fairfax adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Virginia Department of Health. Regulations cover areas such as dispensing, record-keeping, security, and more.
Certification Procedures
Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and accredited by an independent body approved by SAMHSA. Clinics must renew accreditation periodically through site visits and reviews. Clinicians must complete special training to prescribe and dispense methadone.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Benefits include stopping withdrawal symptoms, reducing opioid cravings, supporting recovery goals, allowing people to function normally, and greatly reducing risks of overdose and blood-borne virus transmission.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Clinics provide methadone doses daily under supervision. The medication relieves withdrawal symptoms for 24-36 hours. The purpose is to use methadone as part of a complete treatment plan to support recovery from opioid addiction.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid and most private insurance plans cover methadone treatment. Some clinics operate on an out-of-pocket basis with sliding-scale fees based on patient income.
Free Clinics
Some non-profit and government-funded clinics provide treatment at little or no cost for uninsured or low-income patients.
Specific coverage for methadone treatment depends on the insurer and plan details. Patients should consult about medical necessity, prior authorization rules, treatment limits, and out-of-pocket costs.
Drug Use in Fairfax
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Virginia:
- There were 1,230 overdose deaths in 2018, an 8.3% decrease from 2017
- Opioids were involved in about 80% of these deaths
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Typical length of stay is 28 days
- Services include medical detoxification, individual and group counseling, aftercare planning
Outpatient Treatment
- Treatment sessions 1-5 times per week, typically 3 hours per session
- Provided at clinics, private practices, community health centers
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10% of people receive treatment without specifying inpatient or outpatient
Comparison of Treatment in Fairfax vs. Alexandria and Arlington
| City | # Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost |
| Fairfax | 15 | 200 | $10,000 |
| Alexandria | 12 | 150 | $15,000 |
| Arlington | 8 | 100 | $20,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and prevent withdrawal symptoms. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and blocking the euphoric effects of other opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in liquid or tablet form. It is only provided through opioid treatment programs (OTPs), also known as methadone clinics, which provide counseling and urine drug screening along with the medication.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution through OTPs is highly regulated to prevent misuse and diversion:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight urine drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure they are taking their prescribed dose and not using other opioids or illegal substances.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, take-home doses are limited to a one-day Supply. More take-home doses may be allowed over time for stable patients meeting certain criteria.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference methadone dosage for each patient, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.
In Fairfax County, Virginia, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, with strict regulations on prescribing and dispensing.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder. Evidence includes:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for methadone patients
- Methadone patients were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment
- Retention in methadone treatment reduces the risk of overdose and disease transmission while increasing employment
However, methadone does carry risks:
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
About Fairfax
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Fairfax is located in Fairfax County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. Virginia borders the following states:
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in Virginia is Richmond.
Land Area
Fairfax County covers a total land area of 407 square miles.
Infrastructure
Fairfax has access to major highways including I-95, I-495, I-66, Route 50, Route 29, and Route 28. The Washington Metro Silver Line provides public transportation to Fairfax County.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The estimated population of Fairfax County is 1,166,749 (2021).
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 22.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 62.5%
- 65 years and over: 15.1%
Occupations
Top occupations in Fairfax County include office and administrative support, management, business and financial operations, computer and mathematical science, and education.