Worcester, MA Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers

Introduction to Worcester, MA

Whether you’re a local resident or an out-of-towner, the city of Worcester exemplifies cozy life in New England while keeping you close to big-city amenities. That’s why so many people choose to begin the drug and alcohol rehab experience there.

Like much of Massachusetts, Worcester faces an ongoing problem with drugs, especially opioids.

Opioids include:

• Heroin
• Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl
• Prescription opioids such as Vicodin, Percocet and OxyContin

Between 2014 and 2018, the city of Worcester spent over $200,000 on Narcan, a life-saving drug used to reverse opioid overdoses.

The Worcester community is united in the fight against opioids, so there’s a strong focus on local drug and alcohol rehab treatment.

If you’re local, it can be comforting to know that there are quality treatment resources available so close to home. And if you’re from out-of-state, the tranquil Massachusetts air may be just what you need to revitalize your focus on recovery.

Here’s what you should know about drug and alcohol rehab in Worcester:

Worcester, MA Alcohol and Drug Addiction Statistics

The majority of drug overdoses that happen in Worcester can be attributed to opioids.

In June 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported the following:

• 78 Worcester residents died from opioid overdoses in 2019
• There were 141 opioid overdose deaths in Worcester that year
• Opioid-related deaths rose by 56% in Worcester between 2014 and 2018

Worcester, MA Alcohol and Drug Detox and Rehab Questions

It’s normal to have questions going into the rehab process in Worcester. The more you know about the rehab process going in, the more comfortable you’ll feel (and the better you can focus on recovery from the start).

In turn, this helps you have a better treatment outcome and come out of the rehab experience feeling satisfied with the progress you’ve made.

This is what people are asking about starting rehab in the area:

Where should I go to find the best alcohol and drug detox in Worcester, MA?

There’s no such thing as the “best” alcohol and drug detox because the right program is different for everyone. Instead of looking for the best treatment program, you should look for a program that addresses your needs.

That may include:

• Evidence-based treatment that has scientific consensus behind it, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or 12 Steps therapy
• Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders like major depression or generalized anxiety disorder
• Trauma-informed treatment that addresses an underlying history of childhood trauma, sexual trauma, gender-based violence, complex trauma, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you have trouble locating a program that works for you, you should:

• Contact your family doctor, who can provide a treatment referral
• Contact your insurance company, who can provide you with a list of in-network providers
• Contact the Worcester Health and Human Services Department by calling 508-799-8486 on weekdays between 9 AM and 5 PM EST
• Download the Stigma-Free Worcester app on Android or iPhone to search for local treatment centers

What should I look for in a detox rehab facility?

Besides looking for a treatment center that meets your needs through dual diagnosis and trauma-informed treatment, you should look for a detox and rehab center that provides custom treatment plans for each patient and treats you like an individual instead of a diagnosis.

Look for treatment centers that say they offer patient-focused, person-first, whole-body, or biopsychosocial treatment approaches.

Is addiction treatment necessary for recovery?

Yes, addiction treatment is a necessary part of recovery! The long-term recovery benefits of treatment go far beyond the initial treatment stay. Addiction treatment gives you access to a rich recovery toolkit that includes coping skills and strategies that will help you for the rest of your life.

Without treatment, the relapse rate for substance use disorder is as high as 90%. Getting treatment can reduce that rate by as much as 50%!

Types of Rehab Programs in Worcester, MA

It’s important to know the difference between rehab program types so you know what to expect at each stage.

The main types of rehab programs include:

• Detox programs
• Residential inpatient programs
• Medication-assisted treatment programs
• Sober living programs
• Aftercare programs

At the very least, most people entering rehab should enroll in detox, residential inpatient, and aftercare programs. Some people may benefit from the extra support of medication-assisted treatment or sober living as well.

Here are the ins and outs of each program type:

Detox Program

Detox programs support you through the most vulnerable part of recovery, which is the withdrawal phase.

Depending on the drug that you’re stopping, your withdrawal phase could be marked by symptoms like:

• Anxiety
• Cravings
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Sleep changes, including trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Vomiting

Needless to say, withdrawal is when your risk of relapse is highest because many people are desperate to make these unpleasant symptoms stop!

Medical detox programs reduce your risk of relapse and stabilize you during the earliest days of recovery. This helps increase your long-term odds of maintaining recovery. During detox, you’ll receive 24/7 care for your symptoms, keeping you safe and comfortable. Everyone who enters treatment should begin with detox.

Detox programs often last 5 to 7 days, but the overall length depends on the drug that you’re stopping. For instance, stimulant programs tend to be longer because withdrawing from cocaine or meth can take 2 weeks.

Residential Inpatient Program

A residential inpatient program provides you with intensive, round-the-clock addiction care. The accountability and structure can make residential inpatient programs the best choice for nearly anyone who’s starting recovery or seeking treatment after a relapse.

When entering a residential inpatient program, you should expect:

• Structured and busy days that start early: Routines and regimens can help you adjust to life without substances and keep your mind on recovery.
• Behavioral treatment: Your routine will include counseling and therapy sessions, which may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy or another evidence-based choice.
• Medication-assisted treatment: If you’re recovering from opioids or alcohol, then MAT may be an option. This treatment uses medications and therapy to control long-term withdrawal and cravings.
• Recreational options: Expect to spend some time on healthy recreation, which can include yoga, meditation, animal therapy, arts and crafts, or music.

For the best results, choose a residential inpatient program that lasts 90 days or longer. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends 3 months as the shortest effective program length. Of course, if you can stay in treatment for longer, you should keep attending as long as you can. Extended treatment only improves your recovery.

Medication-Assisted Program

Medication-assisted treatment programs use medications alongside behavioral treatment to manage long-term cravings and withdrawal.

These programs are approved for use in treating opioid or alcohol addiction. Medications are the most effective when they’re paired with therapy or counseling, which is why these programs include both.

The medications used in MAT for alcohol include:

• Acamprosate: This medication helps reduce alcohol cravings.
• Disulfiram: This medication causes a deterrent reaction when you drink alcohol, which includes nausea, headache, flushing, vomiting, and chest pain.
• Naltrexone: This medication blocks you from feeling drunk, which reduces your incentive to drink alcohol.

The medications used in MAT for opioids include:

• Buprenorphine: This medication blocks opioid cravings and withdrawal.
• Methadone: This medication reduces opioid withdrawal and makes the effects of opioids less strong, which can reduce cravings.
• Naltrexone: This medication blocks the effects of opioids so you don’t feel high, which reduces the motivation to relapse.

You can follow an MAT program as an inpatient, outpatient or as part of your aftercare. Many people keep using MAT for months or years to maintain recovery.

Worcester Sober Living

Sober living programs can help you bridge the transition between inpatient treatment and everyday life. For many people, the pressure of responsibilities can be too much immediately after leaving inpatient. The stress of working, paying bills and returning to your daily life can jeopardize your recovery if you’re not ready for it.

If that’s the case, sober living programs offer a live-in community with other people in recovery where you can transition back to real life at your own pace.

The biggest condition for sober living is sobriety. Relapsing or being involved in someone else’s relapse can be grounds for dismissal, so you may work harder to stay in recovery to keep your place in the program.

Aftercare Programs in Worcester

Every treatment plan should include aftercare to maintain your recovery. It can take the form of a structured aftercare program or a written plan that you build with your treatment team and follow.

Whether it’s structured or not, your aftercare may include:

• Continuing behavioral treatment, like therapy or counseling
• Continuing medication-assisted treatment
• Continuing outpatient treatment
• Meetings for social support, such as 12 Steps or a support group

How to Use Your Insurance to Pay for Addiction Treatment

Many insurance plans cover addiction treatment in 2020. The specifics of coverage vary from plan to plan, so be sure to check with your insurance company about how to use it to pay for treatment.

You can reach your insurance company to find out your specific coverage by calling the Member Services phone number listed on your Member ID card. Be prepared to give member-specific details that are listed on the same card, including the BIN, Group ID and Member ID.

Some local and national plans that cover addiction treatment in Worcester, Massachusetts include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Connecticut
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire
• Cigna
• Humana
• Aetna
• UnitedHealthcare

Most Popular Questions in Worcester, MA

If you still have questions about addiction treatment in Worcester, we have even more answers! These are the most popular questions about addiction treatment in the area:

Who is a candidate for addiction treatment in Worcester, MA?

If you have substance use disorder (SUD) of any kind, then you’re a candidate for addiction treatment. Treatment reduces your relapse risk by up to 50% by giving you valuable tools to protect your recovery. Everyone who struggles with addiction should seek treatment.

What should you expect from addiction treatment in Worcester, MA?

You should expect addiction treatment to prepare you for a life of recovery. This usually happens through an immersive, live-in residential treatment experience.

You’ll go to behavioral treatment sessions and possibly use medication to reduce cravings. During treatment, you’ll learn skills like distress tolerance and other coping mechanisms to help protect your recovery.

How should you prepare for addiction treatment in Worcester, MA?

You can prepare for treatment by getting the ball rolling as soon as possible! The problem with over-preparing for treatment is that you can lose your nerve. It’s common to make plans for treatment that go neglected because you decided you needed more time. Instead, start looking for a treatment center as soon as you know that you need help.

How do you find addiction treatment in Worcester, MA?

If you’re looking for treatment near Worcester, you have many options. There’s a rich network of treatment centers in Massachusetts and New England that offer evidence-based, patient-first addiction programs.

The City of Worcester Department of Health and Human Services published the Stigma-Free Worcester app for searching local addiction treatment programs in MA. Get it for iPhone or Android for free.

Why Choose Bedrock?

Bedrock Recovery Center offers addiction treatment with a whole-body, trauma-informed, dual diagnosis approach. We look at your disorder from every angle and treat the root cause, not the symptoms.

All that happens at our newly-renovated Canton rehab center, just 34 miles from nearby Worcester.

Popular Nearby Cities and States

Worcester is just one city of many that’s fighting the opioid epidemic through greater treatment access.

Look for treatment programs in these nearby cities:

• Sudbury
• Springfield
• Fitchburg
• Lunenburg
• Townsend

Directions to our facility in Canton, MA from Worcester, Massachusetts