What if There are No Methadone Clinics Near Me?

While it remains true that many methadone clinics still operate in the geographical areas where heroin abuse is most rampant, the federal rules for dispensing methadone for the treatment of opiate addictions were relaxed in 2001 and oversight was shifted to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide greater quality of care and easier access to treatment.

If you live in a rural area or there is no methadone clinic near you, good news…there are many options still available to you.

Provider Changes

The first methadone clinics were established in 1971 to treat the growing surge of heroin addictions in soldiers returning home from Vietnam and the problems of heroin use that was scourging the populations of inner cities. Under strict federal regulations, these clinics provided methadone dispensing on a daily bases with education, counseling, agency assistance, and referrals to reduce the spread of crime, diseases, and social impediments commonly associated with heroin addicts.

methadone treatment

Thanks to SAMHSA’s new accreditation, you might have easier access to help.

Under SAMHSA’s accreditation system, an increasing number of Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) providers are available without having to go to a methadone clinic. These providers must be certified and adhere to the guidelines, reporting, and operating measures set forth by federal and state regulations, the DEA, and SAMSHA, but, they are able to provide opioid addiction treatment care in a variety of treatment settings including private and for-profit facilities, hospitals, affiliated hubs, and physician’s offices nationwide.

Methadone Maintenance Under the New Rules

A certified OTP, under the new rules, can dispense methadone to those individuals who have proven that they are responsible in handling opioid drugs. Take home dose allowances were increased for those who have an established stability in a methadone maintenance program.

According to the National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery (NAMA-R), registered OTPs can dispense methadone to individuals, with less frequent visitations, where “their dependence on opioids is managed by a steady dose of methadone; regular urinalyses have established that these patients no longer use any illicit drugs; and they have demonstrated the ability and willingness to handle a supply of the medication safely, at home.”

The patient must also “be engaged in socially acceptable and constructive activities, such as working, schooling, full-time volunteer work, or being a stay-at- home parent. Eligible patients may also be disabled.”

What if There are No Methadone Clinics Near Me?

The SAMHSA understands that treatment needs to be more accessible to those individuals who live in rural areas and provides the resource access via three program models including:

  • The Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) hub model
  • The independent agency coordinating hub model
  • The physician as program sponsor model

The best way to find an OTP near you is to go to the SAMHSA’s Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov, to contact OTP physicians or public helath departments and hospitals, or to explore online sources that offer methadone maintenance treatment in your area.

Call to Find a Methadone ClinicPhone icon800-780-9619 Info iconWho Answers?

Where do calls go?

Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser: Rehab Media Group, Recovery Helpline, Alli Addiction Services.

By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.