North Charles Institute for the Addictions

North Charles Institute for the Addictions (NCIA) is a program in Cambridge, Massachusetts affiliated with Harvard Medical School's Department of Psychiatry at The Cambridge Hospital.

NCIA supports adults with opioid use disorder through methadone maintenance, medically supervised withdrawal, and comprehensive counseling, including care for mental health conditions and pregnant or postpartum clients.

As one of the opioid treatment programs in Massachusetts NCIA delivers clinically integrated and personalized recovery care rooted in decades of experience.

Medication Supported Opioid Treatment

NCIA's core specialty is providing medication supported recovery for adults living with opioid use disorder.

A multidisciplinary team provides methadone maintenance, take-home eligibility for stabilized clients, overdose prevention and NARCAN distribution.

Guests have access to nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists.

Treatment pairs medication with individual and group counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, contingency management, the Matrix Model, and relapse prevention.

Sessions address underlying triggers while offering harm-reduction strategies, aftercare planning, and ongoing follow-up support to sustain lasting recovery.

Specialized Care for Pregnant Clients

NCIA offers dedicated support for pregnant and postpartum clients.

Treatment includes trimester appointments with a nurse practitioner, prenatal education and Plans of Safe Care.

The team coordinates reproductive health and OB-GYN care alongside postpartum medical director appointments as needed, to protect both parent and baby.

NCIA provides in-person, Zoom, and phone counseling at its office, serving Cambridge, Somerville, and communities throughout eastern Massachusetts.

They offer a separate medication clinic at The Cambridge Hospital.

The program accepts Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, TRICARE and self-payment, and offers financial assistance and an income-based sliding fee scale.