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Across the United States, millions of Americans struggle with alcohol or drug problems, but only a fraction receive proper treatment. Researchers are now beginning to understand that addiction is a chronic brain condition. Drugs and alcohol alter brain chemistry and can diminish an individual’s capacity to voluntarily control substance use behavior. With a deeper understanding of how addiction works, you or someone you love can approach treatment with understanding and an open mind.
In Massachusetts, opioid-related overdoses are on the rise and in the majority of these cases, fentanyl is present. Among the 1,899 opioid-related deaths in 2016, 69% tested positive for fentanyl. Heroin was present in roughly 1/3 of opioid-related deaths.
In 2015, the rate of overdose deaths in Massachusetts was among the highest in the country (25.7 per 100,000). Over the past 5 years, the number of opioid-related deaths increased from 742 cases in 2012 to a projected 2,069 in 2017.
Although heroin abuse accounts for more than half of enrollees in Massachusetts rehab centers, it is certainly not the only drug of abuse in the state. Of the 104,233 admissions to MA treatment programs in 2014, 31.9% were for alcohol, 4% for were for marijuana, 3.4% for crack/cocaine, and 5.8% for opioids other than heroin (including prescription painkillers).
An average of 11,000 people are arrested for drug offenses every year in Massachusetts, including the sale, possession, trafficking, cultivation and manufacturing of any illegal drug. The state imposes penalties for drug possession that can result in fines, jail time or a combination of both. Fines for drug charges vary according to the crime's circumstances and a judge's discretion.
Massachusetts categorizes illegal substances into separate classes – Classes A through E. Class A includes drugs with the highest potential for addiction and the most severe penalties for possession. Meanwhile, Class E drugs include drugs with far less risk for dependency. Class E violations rarely result in jail time, but can result in probation or drug counseling.
| Substance Classification | Maximum Penalty | Substance Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | First Offense: 2 years in jail | Heroin, morphine, GHB |
| Subsequent Offense: 2 ½ to 5 years in jail | ||
| Class B | First Offense: Up to 1 year in jail | Methamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl |
| Subsequent Offense: Up to 2 years in jail | ||
| Class C | First Offense: Up to 1 year in jail | Klonopin, hydrocodone, Mescaline |
| Subsequent Offense: Up to 2 years in jail | ||
| Class D | Less than one ounce: Civil fine up to $100 | Marijuana |
| One ounce or more: Up to 2 years in jail and up to $2,000 in fines | ||
| Class E | Probabtion and/or mandatory drug counseling and treatment | Percocet, codeine, Adderall |
While the recreational use of marijuana in Massachusetts is illegal, medical marijuana is permitted for certain medical conditions, including:
Access to medical marijuana comes with several limitations. A person cannot possess more than 10 ounces every two months; however, home cultivation is allowed in limited amounts. Patients may designate a personal caregiver, who is at least 21 years or older, to obtain the drug from a state-licensed dispensary if the patient is physically or medically unable to do so.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Massachusetts is one of the top 10 states most crippled by the opioid epidemic. Heroin-related hospital visits in Massachusetts increased 256 percent from 2011 to 2015.
However, the demand for heroin in Massachusetts didn't spring up overnight. Like many other states across the country, it started with prescription opioid painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin. Between 1999 and 2010, Massachusetts saw a six-fold increase in deaths from prescription opioids, a rate that mirrored national trends at the time.
It wasn't until 2010 that the state saw heroin rise in popularity, outpacing national heroin overdose death rates and claiming lives even faster than prescription drugs. Today, the growing demand for heroin seems to have reenergized the once-declining demand for prescription opioids in Massachusetts, bringing with it two new and dangerous trends.
According to death certificates in the state, a growing number of people are overdosing on a mixture of heroin and other opioids, primarily synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Additionally, the victims of the opioid epidemic ravaging Massachusetts are trending younger. According to The Boston Globe, in 2014 the bulk of prescription overdose deaths in the state involved people ages 25 to 34.
The new culprit behind Massachusetts' increasingly devastating opioid epidemic is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that's available by prescription but is more often found illicitly. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
Toxicology reports from recent post-mortem cases in Massachusetts indicate that fentanyl appeared in over 60 percent of the toxicology samples in 2015. Of the 1,775 opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts in 2017, fentanyl was found in 85 percent of the available toxicology reports.
Massachusetts has established a number of programs to help combat the opioid epidemic and the rising number of overdose deaths in the state, including:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health launched the State Without StigMA to encourage people to rethink the way they perceive addiction and people with addiction. The goal is to decrease shame associated with the disease and create a more compassionate environment where residents feel comfortable asking for help.
Making The Right Call is a Massachusetts campaign raising awareness of the state's Good Samaritan Law. The law ensures that a person won't be charged with possession of a controlled substance if they call 911 to report an overdose.
The Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool helps pharmacists and doctors better monitor active opioid prescriptions. Additionally, Massachusetts now offers improved resources to medical and dental schools to train students on how to prevent opioid misuse and addiction in patients.
Massachusetts is currently one of eight states that have declared the opioid epidemic a state emergency. This directive banned high-dose opioids, developed a plan for prescription monitoring, expanded access to the life-saving overdose reversal drug naloxone (Narcan) and allocated funds for treatment.
Calling different treatment centers in your area or in other parts of the country can help you begin the process of finding a treatment program. When you call, be sure to ask about features that are important to you, such as therapeutic approaches, amenities, staff qualifications, and anything else you need to know to make you feel comfortable choosing a program.
If you are interested in seeking care outside of your community, you can browse the directory to view listings across the country. If you are ready to find treatment, give us a call today to learn about your options.
If you don’t have health insurance or readily available funds to cover the cost of rehab, you still have options. Most programs offer sliding scale payment options, which means that the fee you pay depends on your ability to pay. Other programs offer financing options, so you don’t have to pay for the full cost of treatment upfront.
Depending on your situation, you might also consider looking into the following:
Inpatient programs require clients to live onsite during treatment, providing structure and support to help guide recovery. When comparing various inpatient programs in Massachusetts, clients should consider the following characteristics:
Across the spectrum of addiction treatment, there are multiple rehab services available. Each service is designed with a specific purpose in mind. Some essential services or programs in Massachusetts include:
Effective addiction treatment is available in Massachusetts to help those struggling with addiction to achieve long-term recovery and live fulfilling lives in sobriety.
The detox process helps the body rid itself of drugs and alcohol. Detoxification can be uncomfortable and life-threatening if the withdrawal symptoms are not monitored and treated by a doctor or appropriate medical staff.
Medically assisted detox programs offer support and supervision at hospitals and inpatient addiction treatment facilities across Massachusetts.
Massachusetts inpatient drug rehab programs offer a safe and supportive environment to recover from addiction. Clients of inpatient drug rehabs live on campus and engage in individual behavioral therapies and group activities.
Some inpatient drug and alcohol rehabs in Massachusetts offer specialized care, such as dual-diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, trauma grounding, and medication-assisted treatment. Clients should choose a facility based on their individual needs.
After attending therapy for the day, those participating in an outpatient drug rehab program return home or to a sober living facility in the evenings. This type of program is beneficial for those who have completed an inpatient drug rehab program but are looking for continued care and support.
Sober living facilities are a great place for those in early recovery to continue their sobriety journey after addiction treatment. Massachusetts sober living houses offer residents a drug- and alcohol-free environment surrounded by other individuals who are also focused on recovery from addiction. While staying at a sober living house, random drug testing may occur and residents are required to follow the house rules.
Participating in an aftercare program can be helpful for those looking to maintain long-term recovery. These types of services may include long-term case management, group meetings, group social events, 24/7 call support and more.
Effective addiction treatment addresses the needs of the whole person, not just the symptoms of their disease. To do this, clients might participate in a number of different treatment modalities common in Massachusetts drug or alcohol rehab. Those seeking addiction treatment may participate in:
In addition to these traditional therapies, drug rehab centers are incorporating more holistic treatment methods into their programming. Those struggling with addiction may benefit from trying:
Each treatment modality comes with a unique set of benefits that will vary from person to person. It's up to a client and their treatment team to work together to create a comprehensive treatment plan that will work best for the individual.
The length of treatment for those struggling with alcohol or drug addiction in Massachusetts varies based on the individual's needs. While most treatment centers offer programs lasting 30, 60 or 90 days, others offer programs that last for a full year.
To decide how long a client should be in treatment, the following factors should be evaluated:
While there is no predetermined length of time for addiction treatment, the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that programs lasting 90 days or longer are the most effective. Additionally, keeping clients engaged in their recovery is essential to long-term success in sobriety.
The cost of addiction treatment is often a significant barrier to getting help for a substance use disorder. Fortunately, there are many ways to pay for the treatment that can lead to a healthy, sober life.
Insurance may cover some treatment programs in Massachusetts. While private health insurance will likely cover mental health and addiction treatment at a better rate than state-funded insurance programs, most addiction treatment centers in the state are required to accept MassHealth. Out-of-pocket costs for treatment will vary based on the insurance provider.
Many addiction treatment centers will help clients secure a private loan to pay for treatment. They may also set up a payment plan to give clients more time to pay for their treatment.
Massachusetts allocates funds to different treatment centers across the state to give people the opportunity to receive treatment for free if needed. For those seeking help but who do not have the funds to do so, a state-funded treatment program might be an option.
As you determine the cost of rehabilitation in massachusetts, look at the expense as an investment in your future and your family's. Most treatment facilities are able to take partial payment through any PPO, HMO or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to review your eligibility and the expense of treatment in MA, dial our help line, toll-free to get frank and truthful answers to your questions.
Whether your MA inpatient-residential illicit and prescription drug recovery with take four weeks or ninety days, calling our treatment hotlline improves your chances of becoming and staying healthy. Choosing a rehab center that can meet your expectations before you ever get there can also help a lot. When you're ready to book treatment, our helpline advisors can help you find the right spot so you get off on the right foot.
The cost of addiction treatment varies depending on a number of factors including: program type, length of stay, amenities, and the treatment services provided.
In general, outpatient programs will be less expensive than inpatient programs, and standard facilities will be more affordable than facilities with luxury amenities.
If cost is a concern, remember that many people are at least partially covered under insurance. Many treatment facilities also offer alternate financing options including scholarships or sliding scale payments.
Massachusetts residents seeking treatment for a drug or alcohol abuse problem have a number of local resources to turn to.
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