Massachusetts Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers

In Massachusetts, opioid-related overdoses are on the rise and in the majority of these cases, fentanyl is present. Among the 1,899 opioid-related deaths in 2016, 69% tested positive for fentanyl. Heroin was present in roughly 1/3 of opioid-related deaths.¹

In 2015, the rate of overdose deaths in Massachusetts was among the highest in the country (25.7 per 100,000).² Over the past 5 years, the number of opioid-related deaths increased from 742 cases in 2012 to a projected 2,069 in 2017.¹

Although heroin abuse accounts for more than half of enrollees in Massachusetts treatment centers, it is certainly not the only drug of abuse in the state. Of the 104,233 admissions to MA treatment programs in 2014, 31.9% were for alcohol, 4% for were for marijuana, 3.4% for crack/cocaine, and 5.8% for opioids other than heroin (including prescription painkillers).³

Calling different substance addiction treatment centers in your area or in other parts of the country can help you begin the process of finding a treatment program. When you call, be sure to ask about features that are important to you, such as therapeutic approaches, amenities, staff qualifications, and anything else you need to know to make you feel comfortable choosing a program.

If you are interested in seeking care outside of your community, you can browse the directory to view listings across the country. If you are ready to find treatment, give our caring AAC admissions navigators a call today at 1-888-744-0069 Who Answers? to learn about your treatment options.

If you’ve picked a Massachusetts treatment center but aren’t sure how you’re going to pay for the program, there are several options to help cover the cost:

• Ask the treatment center if they offer financing, payment plans, or sliding scale fees for which you may be eligible.
• Verify that your insurance plan will cover all or part of your treatment.
• Apply for government grants if you’re eligible.
• As for support from loved ones.

There may also be nonprofit treatment centers located in Massachusetts that offer programs at very little or no cost. See the resources list below to learn about the availability of different programs and treatment centers.

Massachusetts residents seeking treatment for a drug or alcohol abuse problem have a number of local resources to turn to.

• The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline: Call the helpline at (800) 327-5050 to find a treatment center, get help during a crisis, receive support if your friend or loved one is abusing drugs, locate a peer recovery support group, and read the latest news on addiction research and prevention.
  • The helpline is operated by Health Resources in Action and is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services: This bureau is a source of information on local treatment and prevention efforts in your area and provides links to other helpful sites for people seeking care.
• Massachusetts chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is a wealth of information for MA residents struggling with addiction or other mental illnesses. This site can connect you to legal resources, qualified healthcare providers, housing services, and much more. They also operate a crisis line at (877) 382-1609. When you call this line, you will be prompted to enter your zip code, after which you will be connected with your local emergency services provider.
• The Recover Project: This initiative, funded by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, is a peer-based recovery support center. By connecting with others who have faced the challenge of addiction and substance abuse, you’ll receive help overcoming emotional challenges and find hope for a lifetime of recovery.

1. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2014). Data Brief: Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths Among Massachusetts Residents.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Drug Overdose Death Data.
3. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2014). Description of Admissions To BSAS Contracted/Licensed Programs FY 2014.