Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in Worcester, MA

Worcester Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics

Worcester is the county seat and most populous city in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Like many metropolitan areas throughout the Eastern United States, the city has long combatted substance use issues among its residents. Notable alcohol and drug use statistics for the city of Worcester and the county as a whole include:^{1, 2, 3}

• In 2017, nearly 6,600 city residents were admitted to treatment for alcohol and/or drug misuse. The overwhelming majority were males (71.6%) and of caucasian descent (68.2%). Roughly 32% of individuals admitted to treatment were between the ages of 31 and 40.
• Among city residents admitted for treatment, roughly 67% said heroin was their primary substance of use, while approximately 21% reported that alcohol was their primary substance of use. Nearly 5% reported primarily using crack/cocaine, and roughly 4% said other opioids were their primary substance of use.
• In 2020, 282 Worcester County residents lost their lives due to an opioid-related overdose. From 2010-2020, the county recorded a 356% increase in opioid-related fatalities.
• In 2020, the city of Worcester recorded 1,288 calls for emergency medical assistance for suspected opioid-related incidents. In the first two quarters of 2021, the city recorded 624 such calls.

Popular Centers for Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Worcester, MA

Community Healthlink

Community Healthlink is a full-service addiction treatment center for individuals of all ages and families impacted by substance use and/or mental health disorders. This CARF-accredited rehab facility offers a wealth of treatment and support services, including detox programs, short- and long-term residential programs, outpatient programs, and medication-assisted treatment.

Dual diagnosis treatment, aftercare planning and support, transitional housing, family support services, and treatment programs for justice-involved persons are also available. Payment options include Medicaid, Medicare, private health insurance, military insurance, and self-pay. Individuals who need financial assistance can also qualify for sliding scale treatment services.

Spectrum Health Systems

Spectrum Health Systems is an inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Worcester offering a wide variety of treatment services for adults and adolescents. Programs available through this facility include clinical stabilization, medical detoxification, residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, and medication-assisted treatment.

Standard outpatient programs, dual diagnosis treatment, and specialized programs for veterans, pregnant women, LGBTQ+ persons, and justice-involved individuals are also available. This facility accepts a multitude of payment types, including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, military insurance, and self-pay. Individuals who need help paying for services can also qualify for payment assistance.

AdCare Hospital

AdCare Hospital is a Joint Commission-accredited alcohol and drug rehab in Worcester that offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Through this facility, adults with substance use disorders can access medical detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, standard outpatient programs, and aftercare.

Dual diagnosis treatment is also available for persons with co-occurring mental health disorders, as is medication-assisted treatment for individuals with opioid and alcohol use disorders. This facility accepts private health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and self-payment.

New Beginnings Wellness Center

New Beginnings Wellness Center is a Joint Commission-accredited outpatient alcohol and drug rehab in Worcester for adults and young adults. This facility offers in-home therapy for families, medication management, outpatient rehab programs, dual diagnosis treatment, and various holistic therapies, including play, art, movement, and music therapy. Payment options include self-pay as well as several private health insurance plans.

Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Worcester, MA

What you’ll ultimately pay for drug or alcohol rehab in Worcester depends on several variables unique to your situation. Factors such as whether you have health insurance, what your policy covers, the facility you select, and your program length will all affect the cost of your care.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Worcester County is home to at least 80 addiction treatment facilities. Of those rehab centers:⁴

• 67 accept private health insurance.
• 69 accept Medicaid.
• 55 accept Medicare.
• 13 offer various forms of payment assistance.
• 16 offer treatment services on a sliding fee scale for uninsured and underinsured persons.
• 70 accept self-payment options (cash, credit card, etc.).

Many Worcester drug rehabs and alcohol rehabs accept multiple types of insurance, so if you have a healthcare plan, it can help reduce your rehab costs. But keep in mind your policy’s network and individual benefits will determine the extent of that reduction. To find out whether you have partial or full coverage for the type of addiction treatment you need, call your insurance provider. You can also call our free, 24/7 helpline for assistance verifying your coverage at any Worcester alcohol rehabs or drug rehabs you’re interested in.

Free Treatment Options in Worcester

If you have limited financial resources and feel you can’t afford rehab, you can still access the care you need at several facilities throughout the city. Many Worcester drug rehabs and alcohol rehabs work diligently to ensure anyone who needs treatment can get it. At these facilities, you can qualify for low-cost or free care by providing information about your income and other situational factors that affect your finances.

Sliding Scale Treatment Programs

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 17 alcohol and drug rehab facilities within 25 miles of Worcester offer services on an income-based, sliding fee scale.⁴ At these facilities, your income, and other financial variables determine what you can reasonably afford to pay. Many treatment centers that offer this form of financial assistance will provide you with treatment, whether or not you can pay for it.

To find a sliding scale treatment program, you can search online for “drug rehabs near me” or “alcohol rehabs near me.” Once you have a list of local facilities, browse their websites or visit findtreatment.gov to learn more about their payment options. You can also call each treatment center directly to ask if they offer a reduced-cost fee structure.

State-Funded Rehab Facilities

State-funded Worcester alcohol rehabs and drug rehabs receive subsidies from the government that allow them to provide low-cost and free treatment to people with limited resources. While these facilities are usually open to anyone, they do not offer reduced-cost services to everyone. To qualify for low-cost or free care, you must provide proof of income that demonstrates financial need and proof of Worcester County residency. You’ll likely also need to prove that you lack insurance or are underinsured.

Rehab Scholarships

Several rehab facilities offer in-house scholarships, while others partner with third-party foundations that sponsor treatment for a limited number of people annually. To qualify for this type of payment assistance, you must demonstrate financial need. You’ll also need to provide information about your income, addiction status, and other personal details in your application. Keep in mind these awards are quite competitive, and many people apply for them. You may need to apply for several scholarships before you get one.

Should I Travel to Worcester for Alcohol and Drug Treatment?

Traveling to an alcohol or drug rehab in Worcester may be in your best interest if you can’t access the type of treatment you need in your local area. Other good reasons to consider traveling for treatment include:

• You want to get away from an environment that has historically prompted your desire to use alcohol and/or drugs.
• You want to minimize your chance of exiting your treatment program before it officially ends.
• You want a fresh start in a location away from home that can help you focus on your recovery.
• You enjoy the atmosphere of a bustling city and believe Worcester’s environment may aid your recovery progress.
• You have family or friends in the city that can support you as you work through rehab.
• Your health insurance covers treatment at Worcester alcohol rehabs or drug rehabs.

Traveling for treatment can be costly. Even if your insurance covers care at a facility in the city, it may not offer any coverage for travel-related expenses. Before you make a decision, consider whether you have the means to travel and verify your insurance coverage to avoid undue financial stress.

Neighborhoods in Worcester to Consider for Treatment

If you’re seriously considering traveling to an alcohol or drug rehab in Worcester, think about the kind of environment that might aid your recovery. Would you prefer a densely populated, action-packed locale with lots of things to see? Or would a quieter, more serene, and natural environment better suit your preference?

Although the Worcester area is largely urban, you can enjoy a peaceful, nature-filled escape in some areas around the city. Some neighborhoods in Worcester you may want to consider for rehab include:

• Canal District: This densely populated downtown area is home to the Worcester Public Market, one of the city’s most-visited attractions. It’s also home to a growing number of community events, local businesses, and the Worcester Red Sox (an affiliate team of the Boston Red Sox).
• Piedmont: This neighborhood sits a few miles west of downtown Worcester near several public parks and bodies of water. If you’d prefer a less action-packed area that gives you quick access to green spaces, consider rehab facilities on the west side of the metro area.
• Downtown: As the heart of the city, Downtown Worcester is home to several historic buildings, local shops, architectural works of art, and performing arts centers. This area of town is also highly walkable, so if you like to get out and explore, you can easily do that.
• Union Hill and Oak Hill: These two neighborhoods border each other and sit on Worcester’s southeast side. They offer quick access to major roadways that’ll take you to the gorgeous (and massive) Lake Quinsigamond, as well as several publicly accessible green spaces. If you don’t want to be in the middle of the action and would like easy access to nature, consider rehabs located here.

Drug and Alcohol Laws in Worcester, MA

Massachusetts 911 Good Samaritan Law

Under this law, anyone who, in good faith, seeks emergency medical assistance for a person experiencing an overdose will neither be arrested nor prosecuted for possession of controlled substances. This law does not, however, provide protection for anyone who appears to be involved in drug trafficking. Only those with small quantities of illicit drugs are protected from legal repercussions under this statute.⁵

Naloxone Standing Order

In 2018, Massachusetts’ Act for Prevention and Access to Appropriate Care and Treatment of Addiction expanded the public’s access to naloxone, a life-saving opioid-reversal medication. Under this act, anyone at risk of an opioid overdose can get naloxone from a licensed pharmacy without a prescription. Anyone who may be able to administer naloxone to someone experiencing an overdose can also obtain the medication from a pharmacy without a prescription. There is no limit to the amount of naloxone a pharmacy can dispense to an individual under this law.⁶

Recreational Marijuana Decriminalization

In Massachusetts, individuals aged 21 and older may possess one ounce or less of cannabis on their person and up to 10 ounces in their primary residence with no legal penalty. The state also considers public possession of up to two ounces of cannabis a civil rather than criminal offense.^{7, 8}

Worcester County Adult Drug Court

Worcester County offers a drug court program for eligible offenders aged 18 and older with alcohol and/or drug addiction and a high risk of reoffending as a result of substance use. This program serves as an alternative to incarceration and/or traditional probation and is designed to reduce recidivism and help justice-involved persons become more productive citizens. Individuals who opt into the program receive intensive addiction treatment and must regularly check in with probation officials and complete drug/alcohol testing.⁹

If you’re finding it difficult to sift through Worcester’s many addiction treatment options, we’re here to help. Call our confidential, 24/7 helpline at 800-926-9037 (Who Answers?) to connect with a treatment support specialist who can help explore your Worcester alcohol and drug rehab options.

Resources

1. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. (2018, August 13). Geographic Fact Sheet.
2. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2021, November). Number of Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths, All Intents by County , MA Residents: 2010-2020.
3. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. (2021, November). MA Opioid-Related EMS Incidents 2013-Q2 2021.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
5. The 192nd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.). Section 34A.
6. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2018, November 26). Policy No. 2018-04: Naloxone Dispensing via Standing Order.
7. The 192nd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.). Section 7.
8. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (2019, June 21). Mass. General Laws c.94C § 32L.
9. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The Trial Court. (2015). Adult Drug Court Manual.