Addiction is treatable

Treatment is a process and set of services designed to help an individual or family with problems they may be having with alcohol, tobacco, drugs and/or gambling.  Addiction is treatable and treatment does work. In fact, the success rate for addiction treatment is similar to the success rate for treatment of other health conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The earlier someone gets treatment for addiction, the better.  There are many types of intervention and treatment.

Screening and Assessment are both important parts of determining if someone has a problem. Through asking a series of questions about someone’s substance use or gambling history the level of their problem can be determined. Then the best type of intervention or treatment can be identified. Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, or SBIRT, is a public health approach to delivering early intervention and treatment services to anyone at risk of developing, or already having a substance use disorder. Research shows that non-judgmental conversations about substance use during routine visits with physicians can have positive long-term effects on patients.  Learn more at www.sbirt.samhsa.gov.

Detox, medical detoxification, or acute treatment services (ATS), may be necessary when a person is at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms or other medical complications when they stop using alcohol or drugs.  It is important to seek professional help when trying to stop using alcohol or other drugs since detoxification can be painful and medically dangerous without proper medical care.   

Outpatient Treatment generally provides different types of education and clinical services through individual, group, and family counseling sessions. Outpatient counseling also includes different types of medication assisted treatments like Methadone Maintenance and office based opiate treatment that uses Buprenorphine as prescribed through a primary care physician.  

Residential Treatment services involve living in a structured residential program that offers a safe environment and services that help people gradually stabilize and return to a healthier and safer lifestyle.  Residential services can be short term; less than 30 days, or long term; more than 30 days.  There are many types of residential treatment programs regulated and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.

If you're a healthcare professional or employer, learn what you can do to help.

View a list of the different types of treatment services that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Bureau of Substance Abuse Services funds.