Introduction to Boston, Massachusetts
In 2020, overdoses rose in Massachusetts. The coming year could be even worse as experts say that opioids in Boston could rise to new heights.
The Boston area is in the middle of a rich network of drug and alcohol treatment options.
That’s not limited to urban rehab options in the city. There are plenty of treatment options that are located in cozy, suburban parts of Massachusetts, like Quincy (located 15 minutes from Boston).
The benefits of getting drug and alcohol treatment near Boston include:
- Access to outpatient treatment in Boston if you live locally or nearby
- Amenities that come with proximity to a city, including shopping and travel hubs for family visits
- Proximity to other parts of New England, e.g. Boston is driveable from New Hampshire
- The best quality treatment that comes with going to rehab in an urban area with a thriving medical and recovery community
Before you enter treatment, you should take the time to understand the process around finding and going to rehab in Boston.
Here’s what you should know about your Boston rehab center options:
Boston, MA Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Boston is home to many treatment centers that offer a full range of treatment. No matter what your drug or alcohol history is, you should be able to find a Boston rehab option that works for you and your unique needs.
You can find Boston rehab treatment for:
- Alcohol
- Stimulants, such as cocaine or methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Prescription opioids such as Vicodin or tramadol
- Prescription stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin
Boston Rehab Treatment for Alcohol
Your alcohol treatment options in Boston typically include:
- Detox to support you through alcohol withdrawal
- Behavioral treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy
- Group counseling and support, including 12 Steps
- Medication-assisted treatment for long-term recovery, including medications such as acamprosate or disulfiram
- Inpatient programs for intensive care during the first 1-3 months of recovery
- Outpatient programs to continue your care after leaving inpatient
Boston Rehab Treatment for Stimulants
Boston rehabs offer programs that treat stimulants including methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription medications like Adderall and Ritalin.
They can include:
- Detox support to help you be safe and comfortable during withdrawal
- Therapy and counseling, including group counseling, group therapy, or individual therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Inpatient care that includes intensive 24/7 care that lasts at least a month or longer in most cases
- Outpatient care that can last for months, years, or indefinitely to help you maintain recovery
Boston rehab programs don’t offer medication-assisted treatment for stimulant addiction. These programs only offer evidence-based treatment, which means the scientific community agrees that the treatment works. There’s no research showing that MAT works for stimulants.
Boston Rehab Treatment for Heroin and Prescription Opioids
Heroin and prescription opioids typically have the same treatment programs in Boston rehab centers. They both work the same way, so they respond to the same treatments.
Those treatments include:
- Detox programs that provide round-the-clock care during the opioid withdrawal process
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other behavioral therapies to address coping skills
- Counseling to help with adjusting and coping with your substance use disorder
- Medication-assisted treatment that uses medications like buprenorphine or methadone to treat long-term opioid use disorder
- Inpatient programs for intensive care, usually over 30 days or longer
- Outpatient programs to continue treatment after inpatient concludes
Boston, MA Alcohol and Drug Detox and Rehab Questions
It’s good to have questions about detox and rehab in Boston because it means you’re planning ahead for your future. The more questions you ask (and answers you find), the more ready you’ll be to tackle recovery.
These are some of the most common questions from people looking for drug rehab in Boston:
Where Should I Go to Receive the Best Alcohol and Drug Detox Near Boston, MA?
It’s hard to say what the best rehab choice is for each person because everyone has different needs. It’s important to choose a rehab based on what’s right for you, which means thinking about the programs you need and your insurance coverage.
That being said, Quincy is a tranquil, historical area within 15 minutes of Boston. Right next door to Quincy is Canton, where Bedrock Recovery Center offers detox programs, residential inpatient programs, and medication-assisted treatment.
What Should I Look for in a Detox Rehab Facility?
When you’re looking for a place to get Boston outpatient, inpatient, or detox treatment, it’s important to make sure you’re getting quality care.
You can do that by making sure the facility you choose has:
- Evidence-based treatment that’s backed by research, including dual diagnosis treatment
- Masters-level clinicians
- Addiction-specialized physicians and clinical care team
- Medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders
- Addiction certification or credentials, including those from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP)
Together, these criteria make sure that you’re getting the best standard of care for addiction treatment.
Of course, you should also think about whether a rehab accepts your insurance and whether the location is convenient (or whether you can travel there).
Is Addiction Treatment Necessary for Recovery?
Addiction treatment is necessary for recovery in all cases. Getting treatment can reduce your risk of relapse substantially.
When you enter recovery on your own, your risk of relapse is much higher because you’re in the same environment where you always used substances. Plus, you don’t have the benefit of medical treatment and support, or the coping skills that come with treatment.
Types of Rehab Programs in Boston, Massachusetts
There are three types of rehab programs and two types of recovery programs that come after rehab. You can find all of them in Boston and its surrounding towns and cities, like Quincy and Canton.
Detox Program
Boston detox programs help you start the process of drug and alcohol withdrawal. Your risk of relapse is much higher when you’re in withdrawal. Entering a detox program means you get support and medical care to keep you comfortable, safe, and relapse-free.
Residential Inpatient Program
Residential inpatient rehab programs in Boston offer a recovery-focused place for you to focus on getting better. These programs often last at least 30 days, but the National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends at least 90 days.
During treatment, you’ll receive:
- Round-the-clock access to care
- A 24/7 recovery-focused environment
- Behavioral interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy, 12 Steps, motivational interviewing, and more
- Medication-assisted treatment for certain substances, including alcohol and opioids
- Education and skills workshops to help you learn how to cope with your lifelong substance use disorder
Outpatient Rehab Treatment
Boston outpatient treatment offers a flexible schedule and smaller time commitment compared to inpatient programs. You might attend outpatient anywhere from twice a week to daily.
Many people attend outpatient for months or years while holding a job and taking care of their responsibilities. During outpatient treatment, you’ll continue therapy, counseling, medication, or any interventions that are part of your care plan.
Boston Sober Living
Not everyone is ready to adjust to everyday life right away after rehab. That’s why Boston sober living programs exist to help with the transition.
A sober living program is a shared house with expectations such as:
- Being substance-free
- Contributing to the household
- Adhering to curfew
- Not possessing contraband
- Being respectful toward other residents
- Attending group therapy or support groups
You might stay in sober living for weeks or months before deciding you’re ready to get back to your daily routine.
Aftercare Programs in Boston, MA
Aftercare programs in Boston give you support after your treatment journey ends. Once you’re done with treatment, it’s easy to forget that addiction is a lifelong condition. Just because you’re in recovery doesn’t mean the work is done.
An aftercare program can help you with:
- Maintaining a social support network
- Balancing work, life, and recovery
- Applying the continuum of care to your life
- Using and building recovery coping skills
- Recognizing when you need more help
- Connecting with local addiction resources
How to Use Your Insurance to Pay for Addiction Treatment
Once you’re confident about choosing a Boston rehab center, it’s time to check with your insurer and treatment facility about coverage.
Your insurance company needs to cover the program you want to attend. Plus, the treatment center needs to accept that coverage.
You can find out if your insurance covers rehab by:
- Calling your insurance company’s helpline
- Calling your treatment center’s admissions department
Frequently Asked Questions About Substance Use
How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain?
Alcohol affects the brain by increasing GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), a hormone that transmits messages in the nervous system.
When alcohol causes your GABA to rise, your nervous system starts to work slower. This is called nervous system depression, and it’s the cause for most of alcohol’s effects.
What Are the Effects of Cocaine?
Cocaine is a stimulant, so its effect on the nervous system is increased activity.
When you use cocaine, the immediate effects include:
- Euphoria
- Increased energy
- Alertness or vigilance
- Desire to talk
- Hypersensitivity of all the senses, but mostly sight, sound, and touch
- Increased heart rate
What Are Prescription Drug Addiction Symptoms?
The signs of prescription drug addiction are similar to signs of any type of addiction.
You might notice:
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Weight loss
- Mood changes
- Withdrawing from loved ones
- Avoiding favorite activities
- Evasive behavior or lying
Why Choose Bedrock Recovery Center?
At Bedrock Recovery Center, our qualified clinical team offers trauma-informed, evidence-based addiction treatment. We help clients transition into recovery by giving them the tools to enter a purposeful, peaceful life.
Those tools include individual treatment plans, community in recovery, and a sustainable process for ensuring physical and emotional health. An individualized approach means addressing the cause, not the symptoms of addiction.
We’ll help you take the first step toward recovery and transform your life in a culturally humble environment. Our specialists are standing by 24/7 to take your calls, so get in touch by dialing (855) 516-0094 today!
- How long does drug addiction treatment usually last? https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/how-long-does-drug-addiction-treatment-usually-last
- Types of Treatment Programs https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs
- Opioid epidemic poised to worsen with ‘tidal wave of new stressors’ amid coronavirus pandemic, experts warn https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/09/22/opioid-epidemic-poised-to-worsen-with-tidal-wave-of-new-stressors-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-experts-warn/
- Fatal drug overdoses reach new peak in US, Massachusetts sees slight decrease https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/07/19/fatal-drug-overdoses-reach-new-peak-in-u-s-massachusetts-sees-slight-decrease/
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-are-short-term-effects-cocaine-use https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-are-short-term-effects-cocaine-use
- GABA and the GABA-A receptor https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-2/127.pdf
- Inpatient/Residential Drug And Alcohol Addiction Treatment https://www.arkbh.com/levels-of-care/inpatient-rehab/