| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Avenues to Recovery Inc | 20 Walnut Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016 | (540) 344-3400 |
| Virginia Treatment Center | 3208 Hershberger Road NW Roanoke, VA 24017 | (540) 366-5211 |
Rules and Regulations
Roanoke adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Virginia Department of Health.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state health department
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular facility inspections are conducted
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Facilitates recovery by allowing patients to focus on counseling and lifestyle changes
- Lowers risk of overdose and transmitting infections
- Improves overall health and social functioning
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those recovering from opioid addiction. Patients receive methadone doses under medical supervision to prevent withdrawal and drug cravings without inducing a high. Clinics also offer counseling and community referrals.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment
- Private insurance often covers treatment but benefits vary
- Some clinics offer sliding-scale fees or arrangements for uninsured patients
Drug Use in Roanoke
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Virginia in 2021:
- There were 2,656 overdose deaths, a 15% increase from 2020
- 75% of overdose deaths involved fentanyl
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at the facility 24/7 for detox and counseling
- The typical stay is 30 days
- Services: medically-supervised detox, individual & group therapy, counseling, aftercare planning
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend structured programming at the facility but do not stay overnight
- Attend 9-12 hours/week for several weeks or months
- Services: therapy, counseling, support groups
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 30-40% of people with substance abuse disorder do not seek treatment
Comparison of Treatment in Roanoke vs. Richmond
| Category | Roanoke | Richmond |
| Number of treatment facilities | 25 | 32 |
| Inpatient beds available | 850 | 1,150 |
| Cost of treatment | $15,000/month | $25,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent Opioid Withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain, similar to other opioid drugs. However, it does not produce the same level of euphoria or sedation. Methadone is taken orally once daily in tapering or maintenance doses as part of opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it does help many individuals recover, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when properly managed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution through certified opioid treatment programs is closely monitored and regulated:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unauthorized drug use.
- Take-home requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home Supply of methadone is limited to a one-day (24-hour) Supply that must be ingested on-site under supervision to prevent misuse.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs should have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health counselors to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference other opioid medications and dosages, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window and overdose risk.
In Virginia, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, with special regulations around OTP distribution.
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 patients in methadone treatment
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication approaches
- Retention in methadone treatment reduces disease transmission risk from IV drug use and increases employment opportunities
However, methadone does carry risks requiring careful management:
- Potential for misuse/diversion
- Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
- Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
- Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances
About Roanoke
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Roanoke is an independent city located in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is surrounded by Roanoke County and is the largest municipality in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains region. Roanoke is bordered by the states of West Virginia to the northwest and North Carolina to the south.
Capital and Largest City
Richmond is the capital and largest city in Virginia.
Land Area
Roanoke has a total area of 43.9 square miles.
Infrastructure
Roanoke has an international airport and is served by two major interstate highways, I-81 and I-581. The city has a public bus system and passenger rail service from Amtrak.
Population Statistics
Total Population
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Roanoke was 99,837.
Demographics:
Gender
The gender distribution is 47% male and 53% female.
Age Brackets
Over 15% of the population is aged 65 and above. Around 9% are under age 18 and about 75% fall between ages 18-64.
Occupations
The top occupations are education, healthcare, retail, food service, manufacturing, and technology. Over 90% of the population works in the service industry.