These analyses revealed major geographic differences in access to MAT within Washington State. Of the 26 facilities that provided methadone in Washington State in late 2019, 16 were within a single CBSA (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue). Several metropolitan areas, most micropolitan areas, and all rural counties were without a methadone provider.
Based on 2018 data, although half of buprenorphine providers were in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, every Washington metropolitan or micropolitan area had at least one. Naltrexone and Vivitrol providers (not shown) were similarly distributed.
The majority of rural Washington counties had only one or two providers offering buprenorphine, naltrexone, or Vivitrol. Several Eastern Washington counties lacked a provider of at least one of these MAT options.
Research Highlights
What are the primary substances used by people admitted to treatment in Washington State?
2018
In Washington State in 2018, 29% of treatment episodes listed alcohol as the primary substance used. 24% of episodes identified methamphetamine as the primary substance, while 11% identified marijuana or hashish. Heroin accounted for 25% of admissions, while other opiates were 9%. The other opiates category includes ”buprenorphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, morphine, opium, oxycodone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, and any other drug with morphine-like effects.”
2017
In Washington State in 2017, 30% of treatment episodes listed alcohol as the primary substance used. 24% of episodes identified methamphetamine as the primary substance, while 14% identified marijuana or hashish. Heroin accounted for 23% of admissions, while other opiates were 6%. The other opiates category includes ”buprenorphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, morphine, opium, oxycodone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, and any other drug with morphine-like effects.” For more detail on substances and treatment admissions, read more here.
What proportion of admissions to treatment are associated with opiate use?
2018
In 2018, Washington State contributed 4,722 treatment episodes to the TEDS-A that included information about substance use. 55% of these admissions did not involve opiate use, while 45% did. 31% listed heroin (without other opiates and synthetics) as a contributing substance, 11% listed other opiates and synthetics (but not heroin), and 3% reported both heroin and other opiates/synthetics as contributing substances. These rates are similar to those observed in the United States overall during the same time period.
2017
In 2017, Washington State contributed 55,697 treatment episodes to the TEDS that included information about substance use. 60% of these admissions did not involve opiate use, while 40% did. 28% listed heroin (without other opiates and synthetics) as a contributing substance, 9% listed other opiates and synthetics (but not heroin), and 3% reported both heroin and other opiates/synthetics as contributing substances. These rates are similar to those observed in the United States overall during the same time period.
The proportion of 2017 treatment admissions associated with any opiate use varied from a low of 20% (in the Yakima metropolitan area) to a high of 53% (in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area). For details on differences in opiate-related treatment admissions, read more here.