Introduction

Substance abuse problems can wreak havoc on your life, and seeking professional help is a crucial step towards overcoming a drug or alcohol addiction. Whatever the particular nature of your addiction, a drug treatment program exists that can help you free yourself from the physical and psychological elements of your drug or alcohol addiction. Many Massachusetts residents battle substance abuse, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reporting that three percent of all Bay Staters over 12 abuse illegal drugs and more than seven percent are dependent on alcohol. You aren’t alone in your struggle, and finding out more about your treatment options can set you on the path to recovery.

Type & Length of Care

Long-Term Treatment Programs (90-Day)

Long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs provide 24-hour-a-day treatment in a residential, community-based setting. Generally after going through a supervised detoxification process, patients of long-term treatment facilities receive individual and group therapy in order to help them deal with their psychological addiction. With an emphasis on resocialization, these treatment programs aim to help recovering addicts overcome their dependence on drugs as they develop personal responsibility for their choices.

Short-Term Treatment Programs (28 / 30 Day)

Similar to long-term programs in their community-oriented residential treatment environment, short-term rehabilitation facilities provide more intensive treatment based on the 12-step approach. These programs seek to enable patients to continue their recovery process after discharge, and so many short-term facilities help recovering addicts find ongoing supportive outpatient treatment.

Outpatient / Inpatient

A range of outpatient treatment options exist, differentiated primarily by the hours spent in counseling sessions each week. With as many as 20 hours of group and individual counseling weekly, partial hospitalization programs offer the most intensive outpatient treatment and are often used as an alternative to inpatient treatment. Intensive outpatient programs are frequently set up to work around the patient’s work or school schedule, with nine to 12 hours of counseling sessions each week.

Residential Treatment Services

Detox

Physical dependence on drugs or alcohol is common in those with a substance abuse problem, and detoxification is often a necessary first step before beginning a drug treatment regime. Ceasing use of drugs or alcohol without support can cause painful and even fatal physiological side-effects. In order to help make the process easier and less dangerous, detoxification programs can provide support and ease withdrawal symptoms through physician-administered medications in what is known as "medically managed withdrawal."

Sober-living house

Many recovering drug and alcohol addicts are not ready to move directly from an inpatient drug treatment program back to their home environment. Whether because they lack a comprehensive support system or because they feel that they need more help to resist temptation, these recovering addicts may benefit from time spent in a sober-living house. Such facilities are not treatment providers, but the rules and guidelines of these houses help support ongoing sobriety for those in recovery.

Dual diagnosis

Many who face substance abuse also experience mental illness concurrently, and dual diagnosis programs can help treat both issues at the same time. Frequently offered by inpatient rehabilitation facilities, dual diagnosis treatment provides medication and therapy to improve the patient’s mental health while they receive counseling and support for their substance addiction.

Commonly Abused & Treated Drugs

As in many states across the nation, Massachusetts faces a growing opioid epidemic, with an increasing number of deaths due to overdoses of illegal fentanyl. According to a report issued by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, heroin is the top-cited reason for addiction treatment program admission in the state, followed by cocaine and opiates.

Conclusion

Unchecked substance abuse has the potential to destroy your life, but finding professional help to treat your drug or alcohol problem can allow you to obtain an addiction-free life. Many of those who are dealing with an alcohol or drug addiction find that they are able to achieve better treatment results from a drug rehabilitation facility away from home and away from the potential temptations presented by old routines and familiar surroundings. Residents of Massachusetts who would like to learn more about their drug treatment options should contact us today at for immediate assistance.