The Boston region of Massachusetts is home to more than four million residents. Although Boston is a thriving city full of culture, economic activity, and excitement, thousands of residents are believed to struggle with some form of substance abuse.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Massachusetts is ranked fifth nationwide in the state’s rate of opioid overdose deaths. The diverse city of Boston, which is a major cultural hub in the state, has been one of the epicenters of Massachusetts’ opioid crisis.
Thousands of people in Massachusetts seek treatment for drug and alcohol addiction each year, as many more struggle without professional help. In Boston, the city government has taken an aggressive approach to addressing the city’s drug and alcohol problem, in part by expanding available treatment programs.
Rehab centers in the Boston area offer a range of treatment services for substance use disorders:
- Drug And Alcohol Detox
- Inpatient Treatment
- Outpatient Treatment
- Support Groups
- Sober Living Homes
- Aftercare Programs
Addiction affects people from all walks of life, and doesn’t discriminate by age, gender, race, ethnicity, or income level. The consequences of drug addiction—such as effects on health, relationships, employment, and personal motivation—can be devastating for individuals and their families.
At Recovering Champions, we know that recovery from addiction is possible. Here, you’ll find information about drug and alcohol abuse in Boston, what types of addiction treatment programs are available, and how to choose the best treatment center to meet your needs.
Boston, Massachusetts Drug And Alcohol Abuse Rates
Alcohol and heroin are the most commonly abused substances in Boston, according to the state’s treatment admissions data.
Other common substances of abuse include:
- prescription opioid drugs
- cocaine
- methamphetamine (meth)
- marijuana
- benzodiazepines
- other sedatives
In 2015, more than 55 percent of public high school students in Boston reported drinking alcohol. Across the state of Massachusetts, more than 383,000 residents were dependent on or addicted to alcohol that same year.
The illegal opiate heroin, however, is the most common drug of abuse reported by people who seek treatment. The rise of heroin abuse over recent years in Boston and elsewhere across the country is believed to be in part due to increased rates of prescription opioid abuse.
And although only a small percentage of people who receive prescription opioids end up turning to heroin, about 80 percent of people who use heroin report first misusing prescription opioids.
Boston Substance Abuse And Addiction Prevention Efforts
The city of Boston has undertaken a number of key efforts to address the opioid crisis and other forms of substance abuse in the area. In 2015, Boston’s mayor created the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services—the first municipal recovery office of its kind in the United States.
Through Boston’s Office of Recovery Services, residents can find more information about local support groups (including virtual meetings due to COVID-19) and find other local recovery resources.
The office coordinates with city, state, and community partners to strengthen the city’s support system for newly sober residents and residents who are actively struggling with addiction.
In addition, the city of Boston has also:
- developed the Project Opportunity program for those in recovery who have struggled to find employment or housing due to drug-related legal troubles
- expanded educational opportunities for teaching community members how to identify and treat drug overdose
- taken an anti-stigma pledge to combat stigma surrounding substance abuse and drug addiction
Treatment For Substance Abuse And Addiction In Boston
Getting treatment for drug and alcohol abuse can be life-saving. Thousands of people die from drug overdose every year. Millions more struggle with the consequences of their substance use, such as job loss, physical health problems, relationship troubles, addiction, and depression.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step. The next step is getting sober. If you’ve become addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may need to first enter a rehabilitation center for detoxification.
Drug And Alcohol Detox
If you’ve become dependent on drugs or alcohol, stopping your use of these substances all at once can lead to symptoms of withdrawal.
Withdrawal can affect you physically, mentally, and psychologically. People with severe substance use disorders can be at risk for dangerous and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
The safest way for Boston residents to detox is to enter a medical detox program. Medical detoxification is offered in many Boston rehab facilities. Detox centers provide a quiet and supervised environment with access to 24-hour medical and behavioral health support.
During detox, medical professionals may:
- administer medications to curb withdrawal symptoms (including cravings)
- monitor vital signs and symptoms
- ensure patients remain hydrated
- coordinate continued treatment for addiction at a nearby rehab center
Inpatient Rehab Centers
Overcoming drug and alcohol addiction requires more than just getting sober. To fully conquer addiction, most people with severe or chronic addiction require inpatient treatment.
Inpatient treatment and residential rehab programs provide the most comprehensive form of treatment for people recovering from addiction. Residential treatment often offers an array of treatments to treat the physical, mental, and emotional sides of addiction.
This may include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Individual Counseling
- Group Therapy
- Mental Health Treatment
- Medication Management
- Yoga and Mindfulness
- Recreational Therapy
- Relapse Prevention Planning
- Aftercare Support Services
Some Boston treatment centers also offer dual diagnosis treatment. This is a specialized form of treatment for people who have a mental health disorder in addition to substance abuse issues. Addiction recovery centers may also offer specialty programs for pregnant patients, veterans, elderly patients, and people addicted to opioids.
Not every addiction treatment center in Boston offers inpatient treatment. If you’re searching for inpatient rehab in or near Boston, make sure the rehab center is able to offer the level of support and structure you need.
Outpatient Treatment Programs For Addiction
Outpatient treatment programs are most suitable for people who have recently completed an inpatient rehab program. People may also seek outpatient treatment after a relapse, or if their substance abuse issues are mild enough not to require more intensive care.
Types of outpatient treatment programs include:
- Day Treatment: Day treatment, also known as partial hospitalization, is the most intensive form of outpatient treatment. This involves attending treatment at a rehab facility for up to 25 hours a week.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs: Intensive outpatient programs are a step-down from day treatment. This involves attending treatment for a few hours in the afternoon or evening, two to four days a week.
- Standard Outpatient: General outpatient treatment services—such as counseling and medication management—can be sought through a drug rehab center or individual outpatient provider. Standard outpatient treatment generally involves attending counseling appointments on a weekly basis and checking in with a medical doctor or psychiatrist as needed.
People in early recovery from addiction may continue to attend outpatient treatment for a long time. This can help people remain accountable in their recovery and provide a space for residents to continue working through issues such as past trauma, everyday stressors, and urges to use.
In addition, people in long-term recovery may also continue to attend counseling or medication-assisted treatment—such as methadone maintenance therapy—for some time. Attending support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is also common for people in recovery for ongoing support.
Continuing Care Services For Addiction
Many addiction recovery centers offer individual case management and aftercare planning services. Aftercare planning ensures that people who are soon to be discharged from a treatment program are given the resources to access continued support through outpatient treatment providers and community-based treatment services.
The types of aftercare services that are offered at a rehab center can vary. Aftercare may involve setting patients up with volunteer opportunities, job assistance programs, sober living options, and coordinating care with outpatient treatment providers.
What To Look For In A New England Drug Rehab Center
Addiction rehab centers in and near Boston can differ in the types of treatment plans they offer and their approach to addiction recovery. Due to the chronic nature of substance abuse, it’s important to be able to find a good fit when searching treatment.
When looking for addiction rehab in or near Boston, consider searching for a treatment center that can offer the following:
- Customized Treatment: The best rehab facilities offer a personalized approach to treatment that ensures that the treatment you receive is custom-fit to meet your needs.
- Evidence-Based Treatment: Evidence-based treatments like behavioral therapy and medication-assisted therapy are linked to better health and recovery outcomes.
- Wide Selection of Treatments: Offering a wide array of treatments ensures each resident can find a type of treatment that works best for them.
- Treats Your Addiction: Some treatment centers are limited in the types of addiction they treat. Make sure you find a treatment facility that is experienced in treating your type of addiction.
- Accepts Your Insurance: Most private rehab centers in Massachusetts accept insurance. The types of insurance plans that are accepted to cover full or partial treatment costs, however, can vary. You can learn which rehab centers accept your insurance by contacting your insurance carrier.
Recovering Champions Treatment Center Near Boston, Massachusetts
Many people struggling with drug abuse or a drinking problem can feel ashamed or embarrassed about seeking professional help. Having an addiction isn’t shameful. And seeking treatment for addiction is a sign of strength, not weakness.
If you or a loved one is looking for ongoing recovery support in or near Boston, Massachusetts, look no further than Recovering Champions in Cape Cod.
Our Cape Cod rehab center is located about an hour-and-a-half outside of Boston. We offer a range of treatment options for people who are looking for ongoing support in their addiction recovery journey.
At Recovering Champions, you’ll find a comfortable and compassionate environment that offers both standard treatment services and holistic therapies to help patients heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We also offer employment assistance and can help coordinate sober living arrangements.
For more information about Recovering Champions and the types of recovery programs we offer, call us today.
