Worcester, MA Alcohol and Drug Detox Rehab Centers

The Heart of the Commonwealth has one of the highest opioid-related death rates in MA. Find out more about alcohol and drug rehab facilities in Worcester.

Introduction to Worcester

Worcester’s beautiful hills and valleys are home to the second-most populous city in New England. They’ve also home to one of the most severe drug problems in the region. The opioid epidemic has taken the lives of many residents and it continues to do so.

Worcester, MA Alcohol and Drug Addiction Statistics

These numbers highlight the harsh reality of the scourge that has taken over New England. They represent people and families, and a tragedy that will affect the Worcester community for years.

  • In Worcester County in 2019 alone, 265 people died due to opioid overdoses. That's more than the death counts for 2010, 2011, and 2012 put together.
  • In 2018, there were 1,109 opioid-related overdoses in Worcester. According to Police Department data, 69% of the people who overdosed were men. And just over half of overdose victims were White. Overdose deaths linked to opioids went up by 55.8% between 2014 and 2018.
  • Opioids (including heroin) and alcohol are two of Worcester's biggest problems. In 2015, opioids were the primary substance in around 70% of treatment admissions. Alcohol was the primary drug in about 25% of cases.
  • In the last five years, the city has spent about $200,000 on overdose-reversal medications such as Narcan.

Worcester, MA Alcohol Detox and Drug Rehab Questions

Worcester is in the Top 4 hardest hit counties in MA along with Hampden, Bristol, and Essex. If you or someone you know are in a cycle of addiction, you likely have questions about rehab such as the ones below.

Where Should I Go to Receive the Best Alcohol and Drug Detox in Worcester, MA?

Rehabs can focus on detoxes alone, or they may offer a full spectrum of addiction services. What the best outpatient rehab facilities in Worcester, MA have in common is a stamp of approval from respected third parties. Accredited facilities offer tried-and-tested evidence-based treatments and they offer customized, high-quality care.

When you’re on the lookout for an outpatient rehab, try to read reviews. See whether these align with what you personally want and need from a program. Northeast Addictions Treatment Center is known for its dedicated staff, for example.

What Should I Look for in a Detox Rehab Facility?

Look for detox centers in Worcester, MA with experienced medical personnel. Often, detoxes are low points in recovery journeys. But with addiction experts focused on your comfort, you can get through this phase of rehab without too much trouble.

If opioids, alcohol, or benzos are your primary drug, then a medically-monitored detox should be your only route. Withdrawal symptoms from quitting these drugs can be severe and deadly in some cases.

With 24/7 supervision, your care team tracks your symptoms and can manage complications as and when they occur. Doctors can prescribe medicines to keep you safe. They also prevent you from relapsing so that you can move on to the next stage of rehab where you learn how to stay sober.

Is Addiction Treatment Necessary For Recovery?

There’s a reason addiction is referred to as a disease. It makes physical changes to your brain and body. Depending on the severity of your addiction, some of these changes can affect you for the rest of your life.

To reverse the negative effects, you need to abstain even though you’ve become hardwired not to. This is an almost impossible prospect without treatment. Treatment at a sound rehab gives you and your family real hope by providing you with the tools you need to turn your life around.

Outpatient treatment can nip a growing drug problem in the bud. An addiction professional will be able to assess the level of treatment you require.

Types Of Rehab Programs in Worcester, MA

In addition to standalone Worcester detox rehabs, the following programs exist to help those struggling with SUDs.

Intensive Outpatient Rehab

If you don’t require constant supervision, intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment is an option. Outcomes are promising and you can continue going to school or work. IOPs offer education and psychosocial support in the form of one-on-one sessions, group sessions and family therapy. Some also offer detoxes and MAT.

An IOP is also a potential next step after residential rehab. Regular outpatient sessions take place once or twice a week and this may not be enough. Your care team will guide you on the level of aftercare you need.

Residential Inpatient Program

Inpatient programs are the rehabs of popular imagination. They involve short stays of around three months or long stays of up to 18 months. The latter is all-encompassing and aims to overhaul a patient’s lifestyle. Programs can include skill training, legal help, community outreach, and healthy recreation.

Medication-Assisted Program

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses a two-pronged approach to make a noticeable difference in patient behavior. Talk therapies work in tandem with the right meds. There are a number of FDA-approved medicines to help those with a dependence on opioids or alcohol. These drugs can do one or more of the following:

  • Stop cravings
  • Ease withdrawal symptoms
  • Block the effects of harmful substances

MAT commonly refers to maintenance treatment for opioid addiction. Candidates can receive treatment in an outpatient context. Maintenance MAT gives users a real chance at breaking out of the cycle of addiction.

Worcester, MA Sober Living

For many people fresh out of inpatient rehab, transitional sober housing is just what is needed to stay the course. Sober living homes (SLHs) provide temptation-free residences with housemates that are also in recovery.

Each person has to stick to a set of rules so that the home can remain a sanctuary. These rules differ depending on the SLH. For example, you may have to attend outpatient treatment as a condition of your stay. Your rehab will be able to provide you with a list of reliable homes in your area.

Aftercare Programs In Worcester, MA

When you leave rehab, you need to keep doing work on yourself so as not to end up right back where you started. Recovery is a rewarding journey, but it is one rife with pitfalls.

Lapses are not uncommon, and they don’t mean failure. They simply mean that you have to expand your sobriety toolkit to deal with new stressors and triggers.

Aftercare can help you prevent a lapse, or stop a lapse from becoming devastating. Plans can include:

  • 12-step support groups
  • Sponsors
  • Alumni programs
  • Outpatient treatment

How To Use Your Insurance To Pay For Addiction Treatment

Whether you have employer-funded insurance, public health insurance, or no insurance, you have the right to some form of treatment for an SUD. You’ll have to contact your insurance provider or the rehabs you’re interested in to check what services your plan covers. For example, you may only be covered for outpatient treatment.

Reaching out will also help you establish the out-of-pocket costs you need to budget for. Please don’t let the costs put you off treatment. Addiction is chronic and progressive and treatment can mean the difference between life and death. If you’re struggling to come up with the fees, a social worker can inform you about SAMHSA or other grants.

You can also crowdfund and raise the amount you need through, for example, appeals to local non-profit organizations. Rehabs can offer you sliding scale fees and payment plans, but check if these plans come with interest.

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

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Aetna
  • UnitedHealthcare

Most Popular Questions in Worcester, MA

What Happens When You Overdose on Cocaine?

The use of cocaine in Worcester is a problem. Cocaine overdoses are more common in older users or those with heart conditions. Users can seem panicked or delirious. From a physical standpoint, a stroke or heart attack can happen with cocaine use, even without a massive dose. Cocaine can lead to death for some users.

If someone has overdosed on cocaine they may display the following signs:

  • Nausea
  • Feeling dizzy
  • A high temperature
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Possible seizures
  • Brain bleeds

Who is Outpatient Treatment Right For?

If you have an SUD, inpatient treatment is ideal but it’s not always practical. Research shows that outpatient treatment can be very effective for people who don’t have severe addictions. This is especially so where a patient has strong motivation to quit and a solid support structure.

Outpatient treatment can allow you to keep your job and take care of your kids without disrupting routines.

What Does An Intake Assessment Entail?

It usually involves a drug test. You will have to answer questions too, so that your outpatient care team can get a full picture of your condition. These questions cover the following areas:

  • Substance use during the last month
  • Drug consumption methods
  • Stress levels
  • Family living conditions
  • Education, employment and income
  • Criminal justice status
  • Social ties

Why Choose Northeast Addictions Treatment Center?

Our outpatient facility in Quincy, MA is a stone’s throw from downtown Boston and only an hour away from Worcester. 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.

Written by
Northeast Addition Editorial Team

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This page does not provide medical advice.

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