What is Bi-Valley Medical Clinic?  What do you do?

 Why is Opiate Replacement Therapy (OTP) used?

 Is this form of therapy safe?

 What is methadone?

 Does methadone damage your body?

 What are the side effects of methadone?

 What if I am pregnant?

 Will I be treated like a drug addict?

 What will treatment do for me?

 How do I enroll in treatment?

 How can I pay for treatment?

 What if I work or have other obligations?

 What happens when I go on a vacation?

 Will my information be kept confidential?

What is Bi-Valley Medical Clinic?  What do you do?

Bi-Valley Medical Clinic consists of three outpatient clinics which utilize opiate replacement therapy to help get opiate addicted individuals off of short acting illicit opiates (heroin, oxycontin, vicodin, etc.).  Bi-Valley Medical Clinic has been operating in Sacramento County since 1980. (back to top)

Why is Opiate Replacement Therapy (OTP) used? 
Also commonly known as Narcotic Replacement Therapy (NTP).  OTP/NTP has been scientifically proven to be a highly effective form of treatment to help individuals discontinue the use of illicit opiates.  OTP/NTP is extremely effective when combined with counseling services.  (back to top)

When used as directed, methadone is a safe treatment for the opiate addicted population.  Historically, methadone has been one of the most highly studied and regulated substances in the world.  Methadone can be dangerous when combined with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines.  Please inform your treating physician and/or counselor about all medications and illicit drugs you are taking (this is for your safety!). (back to top)

Methadone is a long-acting synthetic opiate that has been used for maintenance treatment of opiate addiction in the United States since the 1960s.  Methadone’s intent is to eliminate drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms to help an individual discontinue the use of illicit opiates.  Methadone also provides a “blocking effect” which prevents or reduces the euphoric effects when illicit opiates are administered (such as heroin).  A single dose of methadone lasts between 24-36 hours for most people.  Bi-Valley offers both a maintenance program and a supervised withdrawal program (21 day detoxification). (back to top)

People have been taking methadone for over 30 years and there has been no evidence that long-term methadone use causes any physical damage.  There is no scientific proof that methadone damages your liver, gets in your bones, or harms your immune system.  These are all common myths surrounding methadone. (back to top)

Some potential side effects of methadone are constipation, increased sweating, potential weight gain, and dry mouth.  Other side effects may occur.  Only a small percentage of our patients experience side effects and most side effects disappear after a relatively short period of time. (back to top)

Bi-Valley has a perinatal program, which provides methadone maintenance services to women during and after pregnancy. Coordination of treatment with an obstetrician is mandatory and will be set up during your intake process.  Patients receive specialized counseling focused on pregnancy, parenting, nutrition, and breastfeeding.  The goal of the program is to have a healthy baby delivered by a mother in recovery, to support mother-infant bonding and family stability.  Withdrawal from opiates can be difficult and potentially dangerous to both the mother and infant.  In other words, the sooner you get in treatment the better off both you and your future child will be. (back to top)

No, Bi-Valley understands that opiate addiction is a disease and we treat all of our patients with dignity and respect.  We realize many factors may contribute to your disease and we employee highly professional well-trained counselors, psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, and medical personnel to help meet your individual needs.  (back to top)

All treatment is individualized and involves your input.  We meet you where you are at in life.  Bi-Valley has helped thousands of individuals address their legal, employment, medical, mental health, family, and drug and alcohol issues.  Let us know what we can help you with. (back to top)

Admissions are done Monday through Friday and we attempt to make all appointments for the day you come in or for the following day. (back to top)

Call any of our three clinic locations for an appointment:

• Carmichael:  (916) 974-8090

• Norwood (North Sacramento):  (916) 649-6793

• Capitol (Downtown/Midtown Sacramento):  (916) 442-4985

Bi-Valley Medical Clinic accepts Medi-Cal insurance and private payments in the form of a money order.  Bi-Valley offers a sliding scale fee for our private pay patients.  Some private insurance companies will cover methadone treatment, so check with your insurance company regarding reimbursement for methadone treatment.  (back to top)

We are subject to state and federal laws, which help guide our take-home medication procedure.  FT work, child care, and retired head-of-household can qualify you for take-home eligibility.  The Medical Director may determine that a patient qualifies for take-home eligibility for other reasons as well.  All of our clinics open at 6:15 AM sharp, so those with work and childcare responsibilities can still receive their medication without it affecting their employment or childcare responsibilities.  (back to top)

Bi-Valley can arrange for you to receive your medication at a clinic near your destination or supply you with the take-home medications depending on circumstances and eligibility requirements.  Eligibility requirements depend upon time in treatment and absence of illicit drug use. (back to top)

Yes.  Confidentiality is essential in the substance abuse field.  All of our files are kept in locked file cabinets.  We provide annual trainings on confidentiality.  Confidentiality is the law.  The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) help guarantee security and privacy of your health information (back to top)