Resources
findtreatment.gov is the updated 2023 site of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of U.S. HHS which allows you to filter results for Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder/Both, Residential vs Outpatient, and even Adult vs Child services.
Choosing the right clinician is important, and before you seek the advice of a primary care doctor, you might want to ask in advance if he or she is comfortable screening for drug use with standard assessment tools and making a referral to an appropriate treatment provider. If not, ask for a referral to another provider skilled in these issues. You can also contact an addiction specialist directly through:
- The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) “Find a Physician”
- The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry — “Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder”
- The American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) — “Find a Doctor”
- The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAARP) Patient Referral Program
Additional sources for finding treatment
- NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator
- SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
- SAMHSA’s Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator
- SAMHSA’s Opioid Treatment Program Directory
Resources
Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline provides free and confidential information and referral for alcohol and other drug abuse problems and related concerns. This service helps people of all ages, and assistance is available in multiple languages.
Tel: 800-327-5050 or TTY 888-448-8321
Learn to Cope is a support organization that offers education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opioids or other drugs. Family Support Meetings take place throughout Massachusetts.
Nar-Anon Family Groups is a 12 Step fellowship for those impacted by another’s drug use Tel: 800-477-6291 or Email: wso@nar-anon.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Federal agency whose mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. Helpful articles include:
- Alcohol and Drug Addiction Happens in the Best of Families
- Addiction and the Family: Healing and Recovery
Boston Public Health Commission
Tel: 617-534-5395 or TTY 617-534-9799 or Email: info@bphc.org
- Connect to Services (PAATHS)
Providing Access to Addictions Treatment and Hope (PAATHS) is a one-stop shop for anyone looking for information about, or access to, substance abuse treatment services. - Community Prevention Initiatives
Offers a wealth of resources such as Overdose Prevention Training.
Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing (GRASP) was founded to help provide help, compassion and understanding for families or individuals who have had a loved one die as a result of substance abuse or addiction.
Meeting List
Information for Families of Individuals At Risk of Opioid Overdose is supported by the Department of Public Health, MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services with links to peer support and a Help Line, and information about family intervention programs.
Massachusetts Al-Anon and Alateen is a 12 Step fellowship to help families and friends of alcoholics. Meeting List
Tel:508-366-0556 or Email: ldcofma@aol.com
Parents Helpline – Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed on weekends and holidays.
Tel: 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373)
Recovery Research Institute (RRI) Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
RRI presents evidence about addiction recovery for those seeking treatment and others. Watch videos at the bottom of the home page: “A Mother’s Story: the struggle of facing her child’s opiate use” and “Beautiful Boy: More Than an Addict”, and visit the page Are you a relative?
Email: info@recoveryanswers.org
Information
Opioid Addiction Stigma
Information on the State Without Stigma initiative from the Massachusetts Department of Health
Opioid Overdose Prevention and Reversal Fact sheet from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution
Opioid Overdose is the leading cause of injury death in Massachusetts. In order to save lives, the Department of Public Health operates a pilot program to distribute a medication called Naloxone that can reverse an opioid overdose.
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing teen substance abuse and helping families impacted by addiction. Valuable information such as Guides and Resources and fact sheet From Rx to Heroin that details progress from abusing prescription drugs to injecting heroin.
Rx to Heroin is a Drugfree.com fact sheet that details one teen’s progression from prescription drug to heroin use, and offers information and a resource.
Programs
Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS) Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Tel: 617-643-4699 or Email: ARMSMGH@partners.org
ARMS specializes in supporting teenagers and young adults between the ages of 14 and 26, and their parents, as they deal with their substance use and related problems. ARMS for Parents: Coaching, Coping, & Communication is a support program for parents whose teen/young adult (age 14-26) is struggling with substance abuse. This group is free of charge and parents may join at any time.
Family Support and Education Group
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
Monthly support to families, second Saturday of every month, 1:00-5:00 pm, free: Room G17, Proctor Building
Monthly support to siblings, second Saturday of every month, 1:00-3:00 pm, free: Room G17, Proctor Building
Contact Joe Scholl, LICSW Tel: 781-799-3974
In case of emergency, please call 911 or your local hospital emergency service.