New Bedford, MA Alcohol and Drug Detox Rehab Centers

New Bedford is the Whaling City made famous by Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’. Today, the city is known for another reason. Bristol County as a whole has faced some of the worst effects of the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth.

The statistics below present a clear picture of the public health challenge in the region. The upside is that New Bedford has been recognized for its response to the drug crisis. The city has developed best practices around outreach and prevention that have been shared across the country.

Thinking about rehab can be quite overwhelming. But once you begin doing your homework, you’ll quickly figure out the kinds of support services that are offered by inpatient and outpatient rehabs in or near New Bedford, MA. The following three common questions are a good starting point.

Where Should I Go to Receive the Best Alcohol and Drug Outpatient Treatment in New Bedford, MA?

The best outpatient rehab for you is one that caters to your needs. You might want to go to a New Bedford rehab that is culturally sensitive and is known for treating patients with your background. Or, you may want to go to an outpatient facility that offers detoxes, MAT, or integrated treatment.

Make sure to check that an outpatient facility offers evidence-based treatments and is accredited by a respected third party. Northeast Addictions Treatment Center checks both these boxes.

What Should I Look For in an Outpatient Rehab Facility?

Outpatient programs offer education. But theory by itself helps no one. Outpatient programs should guide patients to practice behaviors that support abstinence. The goal is to prepare for triggers with plans of action and role playing. Skills training can involve the following:

Is Addiction Treatment Necessary For Recovery?

Inpatient addiction treatment is 100% necessary for people with severe substance use disorders (SUDs). But even if you’re not at a desperate stage, addiction is chronic and it is progressive. That means it gets worse over time if left untreated.

Outpatient programs are necessary to stop your substance misuse from taking over your life. The earlier you recognize that you have a problem and address it, the better your long-term prospects will be.

The fact that you’re thinking about quitting is a big step. Preventing relapse is an even bigger one, and you need as much help as you can get.

Detox Program

To recap, an outpatient drug detox is a three-step process. When a patient first comes in, they are evaluated. This is followed by multiple days where the patient goes through withdrawal and  is stabilized. When a detox ends, it’s time for Step Three. Here, your detox facility will help place you into a relevant treatment program for therapy. This may be on-site or elsewhere.

Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab programs differ in terms of how intensive they are. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) last for about three months and are a less costly alternative to residential rehabs. They often require as much time per week as a part-time job. IOPs can be very effective, especially if you have a social support structure in place.

Amongst other services, therapists help patients work through why they started using, and how they can overcome trauma and the negative results of their substance use.

Some outpatient programs focus on special populations such as those with dual diagnoses, military vets, or those who are part of the LGBT community. These groupings can be more conducive to positive outcomes.

Residential Inpatient Program

For advanced addictions, inpatient treatment is the only option. Residential programs can differ in terms of length. Short stays are usually less than two months long, and work in similar ways to intensive outpatient treatment.

Long stays go on for about a year and are immersive. They give patients struggling with severe addictions and highly-addictive drugs the best shot at long-term recovery.

Medication-Assisted Program

Research shows that using both behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is ideal to treat addiction.

MAT can refer broadly to the use of any meds that aid with symptom management. So, for example, this means FDA-approved drugs that curb cravings for alcohol or treat pain from an underlying injury.

These days MAT often refers to the maintenance treatment of opioid use disorders. Here, regulated drugs such as methadone are used to help patients who are candidates. In the Bay State, enrollment in MAT after a non-fatal overdose halves the risk of subsequent fatal overdose.

Outpatient MAT can be used to maintain recovery for years and this can turn your life around. Some 12-step programs disapprove of continued dependence. The reality is that these drugs can pull you out of a vicious cycle and restore your health and stability. Eventually, this could mean total abstinence.

New Bedford Sober Living

Sober living homes offer drug-free residences that make it that much easier to abstain. If you’re single, recovery housing can be the perfect way to stick to your outpatient treatment plan.

Your housemates will be on a similar journey and there are rules in place to keep everyone safe. Going to outpatient treatment or attending support group meetings may be one such rule. Your treatment program will be able to recommend reliable sober homes in your area. Look out for homes that are certified by Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH).

Aftercare Programs In New Bedford, MA

Recovery is a life-long journey. It takes a concerted effort to stay sober and not let drug cues derail your progress. Research shows that even after a year of abstinence, it can take another four years before the risk of relapse drops to less than 15%.

Making it through this initial period and beyond is possible with the aid of Recovery Support Services (RSS). RSS keep you connected to relevant resources. They can stop a relapse from becoming a return to a destructive lifestyle. Aftercare services include programs such as:

It’s a good idea to call your insurance provider to find out all the info relevant to you. If you have a particular New Bedford drug rehab in mind, you can call them. They can do the legwork of contacting your insurance provider. Once a facility does so, they can tell you exactly what your plan covers and the co-pays involved.

Rehab facilities offer payment plans, but they sometimes come with interest so bear that in mind. Whatever you do, don’t let money put you off seeking treatment.

Rehab can give you the tools to not just survive, but to thrive. There may be ways to access grants and a social worker can help you navigate what is available in your region. Or you can raise funds in creative ways if your preferred facility is out of your budget.

Some of the insurance providers that offer coverage in New England are:

Should I Go to Outpatient Treatment or Inpatient Treatment?

If you are highly motivated and don’t require full-time supervision, outpatient treatment can work for you. An addiction specialist will do an assessment to check the level of treatment you require. Intensive outpatient treatment is a cost-effective alternative to a residential program. It’s also practical if you can’t stop working or have dependents.

Inpatient treatment is a must for those who:

What is Alcohol Poisoning?

Drinking toxic amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time causes alcohol poisoning. These are some of the symptoms that can occur:

At its worst, high-intensity drinking can cause a coma, brain damage, or even death.

How Many Emergency Department Visits Are Linked to Opioids in the Southcoast of Massachusetts?

The Southcoast reports more opioid-related ED visits (195.7 per 100,000) than the rest of the state (181.1 per 100,000). There were 1,297 hospital discharges in 2014 that were linked to opioids. Most patients involved in these incidents are non-Hispanic Whites.

Our outpatient facility in Quincy, MA is a stone’s throw from downtown Boston and only an hour away from New Bedford. We are accredited and employ highly-qualified staff. We also use up-to-date evidence-based practices and tailor treatment according to our patients’ needs.

With Northeast Addiction Treatment Center as your partner, you can embark on a whole new chapter of your life. An outpatient program can bring back the person addiction took away – the one that people love and miss. And it can be a springboard for a productive, happy future. Contact us for more info about our excellent support services.