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Substance Use Disorders

 

    MGH Substance Use Disorders Initiative

    Quick Reference Guides:

      Details:

      Program in Substance Use and Addiction Services
      A hospital-wide program designed to transform care for the chronic disease of substance use disorder in order to improve the quality, accessibility, clinical outcomes and value of treatment for our patients suffering with this illness.

      • Inpatient Addiction Consult Team (ACT) 
      • Bridge Clinic- open 7 days per week

        The Bridge Clinic is a transitional addiction treatment clinic to help stabilize patients with substance use disorders as they await more long-term treatment.

        • Hours: Monday through Friday 9 am-6 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am-12:30 pm
        • Location: Cox Building, 1st floor, suite 110.
        • Contact: Pager # 29683; 617‐643‐8281 (phone); 617‐643‐8280 (fax)
        • Clinic Medical Director: Laura Kehoe, MD, MPH

        • Bridge Clinic Services:
          • Addiction pharmacotherapy (buprenorphine/naltrexone), peer support services, individual medication education, nasal naloxone distribution and education.
          • Patients must be medically stable for outpatient care.
          • No pain management (including methadone) is done at the clinic.
          • Give Bridge Clinic brochure to patient if possible on discharge

       

      • West End Clinic- has limited walk-in hours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 am-12 pm.

        The West End Clinic - Services include medication treatment, individual counseling, family and couples therapy sessions, group therapy, case management and peer support. Patients must have an MGH primary care physician.
        Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm
        16 Blossom Street, 1st floor (Cox Building)
        Boston, MA 02114
        617-724-7792

       

      • Addiction Recovery Management Service

      The Addiction Recovery Management Service (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. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 617-643-4699.

     

    Treatment and Treatment Locators:

    • MA resource database- Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline - Includes inpatient detox and methadone treatment as well as outpatient services and educational programs.
      • Drug and Alcohol Rehab Headquarters- toll free helpline and online database that helps match individuals to appropriate services. Staff can use to learn more about specific programs.

    • Boston Hotline- Boston residents can call 311 to be connected to recovery services (Unable to connect to 311? Call 617-635-4500). See article: 311 Now Connects Bostonians With Addiction Recovery Services, MGH Community News, September 2016.

    • SAMHSA Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (Nationwide) - from the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

    • MA Substance Abuse Services Descriptions - brief description of each of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services program types including eligibility criteria.

    • Boston Area Substance Use Disorder Resources- A brief MGH list of resources for patients with substance use disorder, including detox, outpatient treatment, medication treatment programs, mutual help organizations, and services for active users. (Staff reference document.)

    • MassHealth Member Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)- MassHealth has removed PCC Plan and Primary Care ACO referral requirements for MAT to allow increased access to services to treat opioid use disorders- MGH Community News, May 2018

    • Navigation Assistance- PAATHS (Providing Access to Addictions Treatment and Hope) - Boston Public Health Commission program providing walk-in services for Greater Boston residents seeking immediate placement in a range of substance abuse treatment programs. (See Boston Addiction Support Walk-In Clinic Increases Hours, August 2017).

    • Detox Programs
      • Public programs- accept MassHealth (note: not all detoxes accept all MassHealth coverage types or plans) (rev. 8/23)
      • Private Insurance programs (rev 8/23) - or call the insurance company first for a list of contracted providers
      • Teens Detox and Stabilization Programs (there are two in the state):
        • Serving ages 13-17:

          • Community Healthlink
          Motivating Youth Recovery (MYR) Youth Detoxification & Stabilization
          Population: ages 13-18
          Worcester, MA
          Phone: 508-860-1244 or 508-438-5642

        • Serving ages 16-20:
        • The Institute for Health and Recovery, Youth Central Intake and Care Coordination (1-866-705-2807) supports families, state agencies, and other key stakeholders to identify resources and the most appropriate course of action for youth ages 13-17, in need of treatment for substance use.

    • Sober Homes
      • Sober Homes in Massachusetts are basically unregulated. No state agency has oversight, the only regulations are local building codes. Consumers should use care in choosing a Sober Home. There have been cases of unscrupulous owners overcrowding buildings and not ensuring that residents are committed to sobriety. There have been reports of overdoses and neighbors reporting drug activity. Here’s a detailed investigative report: http://www.dotnews.com/2010/special-report-sober-homes-issues-safety-inside-safeguards-outside
      • After years of complaints and lawsuits alleging that some of the homes are unsafe and anything but sober, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health started a voluntary certification process for sober homes. The National Alliance for Recovery Residences train Massachusetts providers how to certify the homes; the first sober homes were certified in January 2016.
        (Background/history at Mass. to Begin Certifying Sober Homes, MGH Community News, November 2015 and New Certification for Sober Homes, MGH Community News, January 2016 and First Sober Homes Certified, MGH Community News, February 2016.)
        • Find a certified sober home - Massachusetts Association for Sober Housing (MASH). This is an effort to self-regulate. Owners voluntarily agree to a code of ethics. Their website lists sober homes that have agreed to this code, but keep in mind this is voluntary; there is no state enforcement.
        • See the new Standards

         

    • Sober House Scholarships
      • The Herren Project offers sober housing scholarships to assist with rent at a vetted sober house. The complete cost of rent is not covered by a scholarship. Applicants must be in an addiction treatment program and referred by a case manager or counselor. Case managers and counselors can begin the application process here.  
      • Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) has a Rental Assistance Program (RAP) for eligible individuals that are looking to move into a certified sober home and have limited or no income OR current residents that have lost employment and need assistance to maintain housing. Interested individuals can start an application here. Please note if approved there is a month-long waiting period. 
      • The Parker Fund provides support to those directly and indirectly affected by addiction through financial aid, education, and emotional support. Interested individuals can begin an application for assistance here.  
      • The MATCH Program is for certain MassHealth Managed Care Plans. Eligible MassHealth members can apply for assistance if they are moving from a place where they do not need to pay for housing costs into community-based housing where they do need to pay costs. - Closed in 2025

     

    • Drop-In Centers
      • Navigation Assistance- PAATHS (Providing Access to Addictions Treatment and Hope) - Boston Public Health Commission program providing walk-in services for Greater Boston residents seeking immediate placement in a range of substance abuse treatment programs. (See Boston Addiction Support Walk-In Clinic Increases Hours, August 2017).
      • Crossroads Resource Center (Charlestown) - offers recovery coaches, a place to relax, to get help with things like job applications, to use computers or to simply get a cup of hot coffee while having a conversation. Crossroads is staffed with those offering recovery resources, and other resources like social service and housing matters. They have coffee, snacks and computer access as well. The Crossroads Resource Center is open weekdays, Monday through Friday, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 15 Tufts St, Charlestown. See the full Charlestown Bridge article, from October 11, 2019  .

    • Gambling, Gaming & Internet Addiction
      • MA Council on Compulsive Gambling - hotline available 24/7 at 1-800-426-1234. Also offer fact sheets, help finding self-help and treatment services, and more on site.
      • National Problem Gambling Helpline- available 24/7 at 1-800-522-4700 through call/text or chat online.
      • Gambling, Gaming and Internet Addiction in Young adults- program of the Mass General Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS). Treatment will include cognitive behavior therapy utilizing an evidence-based approach tailored to individuals struggling with these disorders. Care will be offered remotely to patients throughout Massachusetts, while some in-person appointments will be available at the Wang 8 location. For more information, email MGH-arms@partners.org.

 

Insurance Coverage

 

Self-Help Programs (ABSTINENCE based)

 


        Patient Handouts from the CRC

      • Substance Use Self-Help Groups (Rev 5/25) - Formerly Self-Help Groups at MGH; SUDs self-help groups currently offered at MGH. Contact listed agencies to inquire about meeting sites.

         

 

Self-Help Programs (MODERATION based):

CheckUp & Choices (formerly ModerateDrinking.com) and Moderation Management are complementary online interventions designed for nondependent, heavy-drinking adults who want to reduce the number of days on which they drink, their peak alcohol use on days they drink, and their alcohol-related problems. CheckUp & Choices is a Web-based behavioral self-control skills training program, and Moderation Management (MM) is an online support group network.

Support for Families

  • The MA Substance Use Helpline- available from 8am-10pm Monday-Friday and 8am-6pm on weekends at 800-327-5050

     

  • Stop Addiction - gives you information on how to prevent and identify opioid misuse and where to go for help.

 

  • Learn to Cope has peer-led family support chapters throughout Massachusetts. Every Learn to Cope chapter holds weekly support meetings run by experienced facilitators who have been there. These free meetings offer family members support, education, resources and hope. Learn to Cope also offers naloxone (Narcan), a medication to reverse overdose, and training in how to use it. 

             

  • Allies in Recovery provides online support, along with skills training, for loved ones of those with substance use disorders. With support from the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Massachusetts residents now have unlimited membership in this online resource; their zip codes are the promotional codes that allow full access to the site. Online resources and supports can help those concerned about adults or adolescents. This site provides resources to: gain communication skills; reduce substance use; get loved ones into treatment; reduce anger, pain and worry. (Note this is a subscription service, but free to MA residents- us MA as promo code)

 

 

  • Al-Anon/Alateen
    • Al-Anon: mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
    • Alateen: a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups. It is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. 

Smoking Cessation/Tobacco Treatment

MGH Smoking Cessation Programs programs include:

 

  • MGH Cancer Center Smokefree Support Service - offers free telehealth tobacco cessation services to current and former patients of the Mass General Cancer Center.  Our program is customized and meets patients where they are to guide them through the quitting process over a series of sessions.  Not only do our counselors provide tailored behavioral support, they can also recommend and pend tobacco cessation medication orders in Epic for approval.  To refer patients via Epic - Search for “Tobacco” in “Orders” and choose “MGH Oncology Smoking Cessation” or search for “Smoking” in “Orders” and choose “Oncology Supportive Care Services,” then select “smoking cessation.” 

 

  • Partners in Helping You Quit (PiHQ)- Offered free to MGB employees, their spouses and adult dependents, PiHQ provides a Tobacco Treatment Coach who guides people who smoke or vape through their journey to becoming tobacco-free or vape-free. Coaches also help participants choose and receive free stop-smoking medication through MGB health insurance. PiHQ offers up to 12 months of support, with scheduled phone calls every 2 weeks for the first 3 months, and flexible beyond that. Early morning and evening hours are available. No office visits are needed! Visit us on Apollo to learn more https://apollo.massgeneral.org/pihq/ , contact the PiHQ team at (617) 724-2205 or PiHQ@partners.org.
  • Teen and Young Adult Quit-Vaping/Smoking Resources - patient handout

 

MA Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program - and Smoker's Helpline

  • Smoker's Helpline: staffed 24/7 except holidays at 800-Quit-Now (800-784-8669), Spanish: 1-800-8-Déjalo (1-800-833-5256), other languages: 1-800-784-8669 to connect with interpreter services, Deaf/TTY: 1-888-229-2182 - or enroll online to access email, text, chat and web materials

 

Online Options

 

  • Online quitting option: smokefree.gov - online guides, instant messaging with quit coaches, and more!

 

  • email option from the American Cancer Society - Empowered to Quit.   In a randomized controlled trial, this email program was effective in increasing abstinence from smoking (Westmaas JL et al., Tob Control, May 2017). The program begins with participants setting a Quit Date through a web-based form.  This is followed a series of tailored emails that include personalized messages filled with quit tips, information, and motivation.   Information about Empowered to Quit, along with registration information, can be found on the attached flyer as well as on cancer.org/empoweredtoquit.

 

Treatment Related Program Highlights/News

 

Overdose Prevention and Assist

  • AHOPE Harm Reduction and Needle Exchange- Access, Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention and Education (AHOPE) is a Boston Public Health Commission harm reduction and needle exchange site providing a range of services to active injection drug users. AHOPE services are available at the walk-in center at 774 Albany Street and through mobile van and outreach sites around Boston- MGH Community News, September 2018. 
  • New Federal Rule Expanding Access to Methadone and Buprenorphine - as of April 2, 2024, people will for the first time be allowed to start on methadone after an audio-visual telehealth consultation, rather than an in-person visit, and would be able to receive much larger doses of the drug than previously allowed.The rule also loosens access to buprenorphine, another proven opioid treatment medication, by allowing telehealth providers to prescribe the medication without a medical visit. The new regulation also eliminates the longstanding stricture that people must experience opioid addiction for at least a year before receiving methadone. - MGH Community News, February 2024
  • Good Samaritan Law Protects those Reporting Overdoses- individuals seeking medical assistance for themselves or someone else experiencing a drug-related overdose, including opioid-related overdoses, can do so without the risk of charges of possession of a controlled substance. - MGH Community News, May 2016
  • Naloxone (Narcan) Kit Available at MGH to prevent opioid overdoses- MGH Community News, October 2014
  • CareZONE Mobile Outreach Van to target the opioid epidemic will provide rapid access to treatment and harm reduction services for people with substance use disorders. It will provide primary and preventative care- MGH Community News, January 2018
  • Baker Signs Bill to Combat Opioid Epidemic- Under this bill, someone who receives treatment in an emergency room for an opioid overdose will now have the opportunity to begin treatment for their substance use disorder before they leave the care of the ED. The bill requires that all emergency facilities have the capacity to initiate voluntary SUD treatment, including opioid agonist treatment, after treatment for overdose. They will also receive a direct referral to a provider in the community who can continue their treatment regimen after they return home- MGH Community News, August 2018
  • Life Insurance and Naloxone

Patient/Family Handouts

 

Recommendations from the Social Service Department's addictions consultant Shelley Steenrod, Ph.D., LICSW, Interim Chair, School of Social Work, Salem State College, March 2009.

 

 


      Patient Handouts from the CRC
    • Self-Help Groups at MGH- note no AA, NA, or Smart Recovery in-person groups are currently being offered in person at MGH due to infection control policies. We advise contacting those organizations directly to find online groups or other local in-person options. This list includes contact information. (Confirmed 9/22)

Staff Reference/Training

    See also:  Of Clinical Interest > Addiction

Program Highlights