Expert Insights
I recently read a news article that perfectly illustrates the unfortunate breakdown in communication, lack of planning, and unwillingness to cooperate when government programs are launched – particularly those meant to combat opioid addiction and accidental opioid overdoses. We have a wealth of data showing drug overdose is among the top causes of death when people are released from jail. That’s why lawmakers in Maryland passed a bill that requires all correctional facilities to screen inmates for opioid addiction and offer three types of FDA-approved medication (methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone) that stop cravings and withdrawal symptoms. What’s mind boggling is the fact that this law was passed in 2019, yet here we are in 2023 and less than half of the local governments – and Baltimore City as a whole – have yet to comply with the law. Several lawmakers associated with the bill have publicly voiced anger in learning the legislation has been “ignored,” but a better question might be why did it take four years for anyone to notice?? Of course, jail administrators and local officials say they have good reasons for noncompliance – namely lack of funding, staff shortages, and regulatory problems centered around medication administration. (And a few local officials simply refuse to comply because they don’t believe in medication-assisted treatment.) If Maryland and Baltimore City are truly serious about saving lives post-incarceration, the disorganization must stop and the noncompliance can no longer be tolerated. Absolutely unacceptable.
~ Kerry Nenn
Top Drug Rehabs in Baltimore, MD
Below are the best addiction treatment centers in Baltimore based on the following criteria:
- Offering evidence-based treatment
- Accreditation
- Certifications
- Client testimonials / reviews
Maryland Addiction Recovery Center
Maryland Addiction Recovery Center (MARC), located in Towson, Maryland, is a community-based healthcare organization that uses a mixture of therapeutic and evidence-based clinical care while following a phased step-down treatment model for adults with drug addictions and mental health disorders. MARC also provides direct clinical services , clinically-appropriate resources, referral services, community support, and educational platforms.
Maryland Addiction Recovery Center specializes in:
- Detox Treatment
- Inpatient Rehab
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Outpatient Rehab
- Aftercare Support
- Dual Diagnosis
- Intervention Services
Treatment programs are supported by:
- The Joint Commission
- NAATP
Location and contact information:
8600 Lasalle Road
Towson, MD 21286
410-773-0500
The Baltimore Station
The Baltimore Station (TBS) is a residential addiction and mental health treatment facility for homeless men. They rely on a client-centered approach to provide a strong recovery model and promote socially responsible behaviors. TBS is free of charge to its participants, and the program always accepts veterans in need of help, no matter where they are located in the country. Various therapy sessions are designed to help participants find permanent housing, steady jobs, and relapse prevention tools to sustain long-term recovery.
The Baltimore Station specializes in:
- Inpatient Rehab
- Dual Diagnosis
- Men-Only Program
- Medium Intensity Residential Treatment Facility
- Case Management
- Alcohol Rehab
- Drug Rehab
- Veterans Rehab Program
- Homeless Facility
- Life Skills
- Connective Services
Treatment programs are supported by:
- CARF
Location and contact information:
140 West West Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-752-4454
Tuerk House
The Tuerk House in Baltimore, Maryland provides addiction and mental health treatment in both residential and outpatient settings. With a step-down approach to treatment, Tuerk House offers clients crisis stabilization, inpatient medical detox, outpatient medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, and sober living housing when necessary.
Tuerk House specializes in:
- Medically Supervised Detox
- Inpatient Rehab
- Outpatient Rehab
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Gender-Specific Treatment Programs
- DUI Classes
- Peer Support
Treatment programs are supported by:
- The Joint Commission
Location and contact information:
730 Ashburton Street
Baltimore, MD 21216
410-233-0684
UM Center for Addiction Medicine (CAM)
The Center for Addiction Medicine (CAM) offers a full range of individualized programs to treat drug and alcohol dependency. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, CAM also provides mental health services, multiple forms of counseling, crisis management, 12-Step groups, HIV/AIDS group, and ongoing relapse prevention.
UM Center for Addiction Medicine at Linden Ave specializes in:
- Detox
- Outpatient Rehab
- Intensive outpatient counseling (IOP)
- Outpatient counseling
- Telemedicine Appointments
- Dual Diagnosis
- The Baltimore Buprenorphine Initiative
- Opioid and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Gender-specific group therapy
Treatment programs are supported by:
- The Joint Commission
Location and contact information:
827 Linden Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-225-8000
How Does Baltimore Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Baltimore is a major city in Maryland with a long history as an essential seaport. However, the nationwide opioid epidemic has hit the city especially hard. In 2017, Baltimore saw 761 drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths, 692 of which were opioid-related.1 That is more than double the number of people who died of homicide that year. If you or someone in your life is dealing with the harmful effects of addiction, there are over 200 accredited alcohol and drug rehab centers in Baltimore that can help get you on the path toward recovery.2
There is a growing substance abuse trend across the city and the state, especially with opioids and new substances, including powdered alcohol. Some statistics related to substance use in the city include:3,4
Overall, overdose deaths have increased across Maryland, but the rate of overdoses in the city of Baltimore increased by 225% between 2007 and 2016.
Half of Baltimore teens have used alcohol, with one in eight reporting binge drinking.
There were 761 deaths related to substance use in 2017 in the city, 692 of which were related to opioids.
In 2018, the city distributed 3,891 Naloxone kits and reversed 904 overdoses through the Staying Alive program.
Resources
- Baltimore City Health Department. (2015, April). Baltimore City’s Response to the Opioid Epidemic.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Baltimore City Health Department. (2017.) Community Health Assessment.
- Baltimore City Health Department. (2022). Baltimore Statement on Dangers of Powdered Alcohol.
- Baltimore City Health Department. (2022). Substance Use Disorder.
- National Library of Medicine. Tirado Muñoz J, Farré A, Mestre-Pintó J, Szerman N, Torrens M. (2018). Dual diagnosis in Depression: treatment recommendations.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (September, 2020). Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- National Library of Medicine. Blanco, Laura et al. (August 6, 2020). Traumatic Events in Dual Disorders: Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics. Journal of clinical medicine 9,8 2553.
- National Library of Medicine, Arias F, Szerman N, Vega P, Mesías B, Basurte I, Rentero D. (2017). Bipolar disorder and substance use disorders. Madrid study on the prevalence of dual disorders/pathology.
- Parmar, A., & Kaloiya, G. (2018). Comorbidity of Personality Disorder among Substance Use Disorder Patients: A Narrative Review. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 40(6), 517–527.
- Maryland Department of Health. (2022). Good Samaritan Law.
- Maryland.Gov. (2022). New Law Expands Naloxone Access to All Marylanders
- Maryland Courts. (2022). Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA).
- Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. (2022.) Aim to B’More.
