Massachusetts Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Centers

Across the United States, millions of Americans struggle with alcohol or drug abuse problems, but only a fraction receive proper treatment. Researchers are now beginning to understand that addiction is a chronic brain condition. Drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry and can diminish an individual’s capacity to voluntarily control substance use behavior.¹ With a deeper understanding of how addiction works, you or someone you love can approach treatment with understanding and an open mind.

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.²

In 2015, the rate of overdose deaths in Massachusetts was among the highest in the country (25.7 per 100,000).³ Over the past 5 years, the number of opioid-related deaths increased from 742 cases in 2012 to a projected 2,069 in 2017.²

Although heroin abuse accounts for more than half of enrollees in Massachusetts rehab 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).⁴

Calling different substance abuse 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 us a call today at 1-888-744-0069 Who Answers? to learn about your options.

If you don’t have health insurance or readily available funds to cover the cost of rehab, you still have options.  Most programs offer sliding scale payment options, which means that the fee you pay depends on your ability to pay. Other programs offer financing options, so you don’t have to pay for the full cost of treatment upfront.

Depending on your situation, you might also consider looking into the following:

• Enrolling in a state-funded facility.
• Raising money on a crowdfunding platform.
• Applying for a healthcare credit card.
• Applying for a healthcare or personal loan.
• Enroll in insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Surgeon General. (2016). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.
2. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2014). Data Brief: Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths Among Massachusetts Residents.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Drug Overdose Death Data.
4. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2014). Description of Admissions To BSAS Contracted/Licensed Programs FY 2014.