Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Massachusetts

Overdose deaths in Massachusetts numbered 2,241 in 2018, a time when the mortality rate was 32.8.[1] To help reverse this trend, American Addiction Centers continues to focus on its mission to help people find treatment regardless of whether or not it is at one of our facilities.

This page is a comprehensive resource of information about addiction treatment in Massachusetts. We detail the different types of rehab in Massachusetts, how to pay for private rehab, how to find state-funded resources, and where to look for accreditation information. 

Where is Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts?

There are dozens of addiction treatment facilities located throughout the state of Massachusetts. The majority of rehabs are usually located near urban centers like Boston, Worchester, Springfield, Cambridge, and New Bedford. For example, the AdCare Treatment Hospitals, rehab facilities owned and operated by American Addiction Centers, are located in the areas around Boston. There are also treatment centers located in suburban and rural locations throughout the state. Understanding where rehabs are located in Massachusetts, what these facilities offer, and how to find treatment there can help you begin your journey to recovery.

Types of Rehab in Massachusetts

There are various types of rehab settings and speciality treatments available in the state of Massachusetts. While one may experience a wide variety of treatment settings, a few common types of treatment include:

  • Medical Detox. Detoxification services, also known as medical detox, medically managed withdrawal, or simply detox, is the process by which the body rids itself of potentially harmful substances. Detox is often an important first step in a continuum of addiction treatment care.
  • Inpatient and Residential Treatment. Inpatient and residential treatment will often make up the bulk of addiction treatment. Patients will stay at a hospital or rehab facility 24/7 and receive intensive therapeutic care that targets the root of addiction and imparts healthy coping mechanisms. Inpatient rehab generally occurs in a hospital setting while residential rehab usually occurs at a treatment facility.
  • Outpatient treatment. Often considered a follow-up to a more intensive inpatient track, outpatient treatment allows patients to live at home while commuting to a facility to receive addiction care.

The table below showcases the number of rehab facilities in Massachusetts that offer each level of care:

Type of Care, by number and percent
Facilities
No. %
Outpatient 283 68.36%
Regular 239 57.73%
Intensive 77 18.60%
Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization 41 9.90%
Detoxification 42 10.14%
Methadone/buprenorphine maintenance or naltrexone treatment 171 41.30%
Residential (non-hospital) 133 32.13%
Short Term 45 10.87%
Long Term 99 23.91%
Detoxification 12 2.90%
Hospital Inpatient 37 8.94%
Treatment 28 6.76%
Detoxification 37 8.94%
Total 414 100.00%

Paying for Treatment in Massachusetts

The expense of paying for individual treatment can be daunting for people seeking enrollment in an addiction treatment program, especially for those who do not have health insurance coverage. Most people in Massachusetts attending treatment either use private or state insurance plans.

Addiction treatment can be costly. Projections anticipate that healthcare costs will rise to $6 trillion by 2027.[3] In 2018, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed H4742 into law that requires all prescribers to convert to secure electronic prescriptions (including Schedule II drugs) by 2020, create new pathways to treatment in the emergency department, and expand the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).[4]

How much treatment costs depends on several factors: the type of care required, whether it is inpatient or outpatient, the type of facility, the amenities, and more. Costs also depend on the type of treatment centers you choose, either state-funded or privately-funded.

State-Funded vs. Private Treatment in Massachusetts

Private treatment is the best option for people with private insurance coverage through an employer. Those with independent financial security may also choose private treatment as well.

For people without employer-based insurance or who cannot otherwise afford private treatment, state-funded treatment is an option. These facilities are funded by several sources, including federal grants, state grants, or reimbursement through Medicaid.[5] Some offer sliding scale payments based on a person’s income. In many cases, prospective patients are placed on a waitlist with the most severe addiction cases being admitted first. Individuals may want to research how to qualify for these public rehab programs to determine if they will be able to receive immediate treatment. 

Among the two options, private treatment is ideal considering the challenges that often arise seeking government-run addiction treatment programs,

The following table breaks down the number of facilities in Massachusetts by whether they are private non-profit, private for-profit, locally funded, state-funded, or federally funded. 

 

Facility Operation, by number and percent
Facilities
No. %
Private Non-Profit 275 66.43%
Private for Profit 125 30.19%
Local, county, or community government 4 0.97%
State government 4 0.97%
Federal Government 6 1.45%
Tribal Government 0 0.00%
Total 414 100.00%

 

As you can see, there is double the number of private non-profit treatment centers in Massachusetts than private for-profit, which is good news for people for whom affordability is an issue. 

Treatment in Massachusetts by Payment Option

While 317 of the total 414 treatment facilities accept private insurance, 353 also accept cash or self-payment. At least 313 of the 414 accept state-financed health insurance and 181 accept federal military insurance plans. In 2018, more than 2.8 million people in Massachusetts were uninsured.[6] While not having a private insurance plan might limit your options, always remember that there are several treatment facilities that will serve your needs regardless.

The table below breaks down the typical payment methods used and how many facilities in Massachusetts accept each payment type. 

Facility Payment Options, by Number and percent
No. %
Cash or self-payment 358 86.47%
Private Health Insurance 317 76.57%
Medicare 254 61.35%
Medicaid 333 80.43%
State-financed Health insurance 313 75.60%
Federal military insurance 181 43.72%
No payment accepted (free treatment for all clients) 16 3.86%
IHS/Tribal/Union (ITU) funds 8 1.93%
Other payments 0 0.00%
Sliding fee scale 224 54.11%
Treatment at no charge or minimal payment for clients who can’t pay 213 51.45%
Total 414 100.00%

 

Treatment is possible in Massachusetts for those with the least resources. Cash represents the majority (86 percent) of payment options in Massachusetts, followed by Medicaid (80 percent) and private health insurance (77 percent). For clients who struggle with their finances, a little over half of the treatment centers (54 percent) accept patients on a sliding fee scale and another half (51 percent) provide treatment at no charge or for minimal payment.

Other Massachusetts Rehab Resources

There are many resources that you may be able to use when searching for rehab in Massachusetts. Some of these resources may include:

  • American Addiction Centers’ helpline.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous Massachusetts.
  • Narcotics Anonymous Massachusetts.
  • Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery.
  • SAMHSA treatment locator.

Finding a Rehab Center in Massachusetts

Struggling with Withdrawal can be the most difficult part of achieving sobriety. It can also be the most dangerous. At American Addiction Centers (AAC), our mission is to help people achieve sobriety safely and effectively. As a leading provider of addiction treatment, we operate facilities all across the nation. Several of which are in New England.

If you are looking for help and aren’t sure where to start, give our confidential helpline a call or you can text us. You’ll speak with one of our admissions navigators. Their purpose is to answer your questions and help you find treatment either at one of our facilities or educate you on where you may be able to find treatment if we are not a fit.



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