DepartmentPatient Resources Close [Back to Overview](/departments/addiction-treatment-programs)## Explore department Contact Us ## Contact Us: Contact Us To talk with someone about addiction services at Boston Medical Center and learn what program may be a fit for you or your loved one, call 617.638.5500. Close Dialog ## Addiction Treatment Programs # Patient Resources Explore Addiction Treatment Programs ## Massachusetts and Regional Addiction and Recovery Resources - [**Addiction treatment and recovery services in Massachusetts**](https://helplinema.org/): The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline is the only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services. Helpline services are free and confidential. Visit [helplinema.org](http://www.helplinema.org) or call [800.327.5050](tel:800.327.5050). - **Medication for addiction treatment:** Massachusetts funds a statewide buprenorphine helpline that assists in finding access to addiction medication near you. Call [866.414.6926](tel:866.414.6926) to get help. The [SAMHSA Treatment Locator](https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/) can also be used to find medication-assisted treatment providers. - [**Naloxone (Narcan) locator services:**](https://www.mass.gov/service-details/information-for-community-members-about-how-to-get-naloxone) At Massachusetts pharmacies, naloxone can be obtained with or without a prescription. All Massachusetts pharmacies that are licensed from the Board of Pharmacy must always have a supply of naloxone kits. The Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program is also available to teach individuals how to recognize an overdose and how to administer Narcan. - **Peer recovery coaches:** The [Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline](https://helplinema.org/) offers a recovery coach program. Coaches act as role models, peers, and educators to those in early recovery. - A similar program is also available from the [Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery](http://www.moar-recovery.org/). - **Behavioral health helpline:** Massachusetts has a free behavioral health helpline that can connect you directly to clinical help for both mental health and substance use concerns. Call or text 833.773.2445 or visit to get help. - **Harm reduction services:** - Boston Health Care for the Homeless offers medical monitoring and support for eight to 10 individuals at a time via its program [Supportive Place for Observation and Treatment (SPOT)](https://www.bhchp.org/spot). - [AHOPE Needle Exchange in Boston](https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/boston-public-health-commission/recovery-services/services-active-users) provides safe needle access, naloxone access and support. - [The Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program](https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/tools-best-practices/naloxone-program-case-studies/massachusetts-oend/) provides harm reduction services by educating those interested in the administration of naloxone. - For more needle-exchange services, the [North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN)](https://nasen.org/ "North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN) (nasen.org)") provides an interactive map. - **Support if you use drugs alone:** [SafeSpot](https://safe-spot.me/) is a 24/7 peer-led overdose detection and prevention hotline. They connect people who are using drugs with a trained operator who can call for help in case of overdose. Call 800.972.0590 to get connected. - **Hepatitis C testing programs:** Primary care doctors and community health centers offer hepatitis C, HIV, and STD testing as well as vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. If your loved one doesn’t have a doctor, they can visit one of many [community testing programs](/sites/default/files/addiction/Hep-C-resources.pdf) around the state. If they test positive, treatment options are available. - [**Police station “Angel” programs:**](https://paariusa.org/) The Police-Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative began at the Gloucester Police Department. People struggling with opioid use who ask the police for help will be taken to the hospital and put into treatment, without arrest. - **Involuntary hold/commitment laws.** Section 35 (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 123) permits the courts to involuntarily commit a person whose alcohol or other drug use puts themselves or others as risk. It can lead to inpatient substance use treatment for up to 90 days. *Section 35 is an option of last resort and should only be used when all other treatment options have not worked for your loved one and they are an immediate danger to themselves or others.* ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/0ed96296-6a93-46e9-833a-fbb4755c3fc8/VGR00134-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:350,gravity:center&format=webp) ## Resources for Families and Parents Families concerned about substance use come in all shapes in sizes. Whatever substance use-related challenges your family may be facing, you can start finding help and support here. Please see below for a variety of community resources, books, support groups, and more that can help families who are dealing with substance use, particularly parents concerned about their child's substance use. For questions or additional information please email or . Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of resources available to families, but is meant to provide a starting point of vetted resources for your family's journey. ## Resources for Families Supporting a Loved One Using Drugs Books Additional Reading and Videos Organizations Providing Resources for Families Finding Mental Health Services Finding Quality Addiction Treatment Support Groups Books Additional Reading and Videos Organizations Providing Resources for Families Finding Mental Health Services Finding Quality Addiction Treatment Support Groups ### Skill-Building Resources - Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change by Jeffrey Foote, Carrie Wilkins, Nicole Kosanke *\*Recommend starting with this book\** - The Beyond Addiction Workbook for Family and Friends: Evidence-Based Skills to Help a Loved One Make Positive Change by Jeffrey Foote, Kenneth Carpenter, and Carrie Wilkins - The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child's Struggle & The Road Home by Brad M. Reedy - Over the Influence: The Harm Reduction Guide to Controlling Your Drug and Alcohol Use by Patt Denning and Jeannie Little - Listening Well: The Art of Empathic Understanding by William Miller - Changing for Good by James Prochaska, John Norcross and Carlo DiClemente - When a Family Is in Trouble by Marge Heegaard (Children’s Book) ### Understanding Addiction and the Treatment System - Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction by Maia Szalavitz - Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment–and How to Get Help That Works by Anne M. Fletcher - In the Realm of Hungry Ghost: Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Mate ### Perspectives - Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff - Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nick Sheff - Memoirs of an Addicted Brain: A Neuroscientist Examines his Former Life on Drugs by Marc Lewis - If you Love Me by Maureen Cavanaugh - Not My Family, Never My Child by Tony Trimingham ### General - [Recovery Research Institute’s “Addictionary”](https://www.recoveryanswers.org/addiction-ary/) - [Why I Abandoned Tough Love Instead of My Child](https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/a55379/help-for-parents-ofdrugaddicts/) - [“Bad Parents,” “Codepenents,” and Other Stigmatizing Myths About Substance Use Disorder in the Family](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-02580-9_3) - [Harm Reduction Therapy with Families and Friends of People with Drug Problems](https://harmreductiontherapy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Families-Harm-Reduction.pdf) - [Allies in Recovery:](https://alliesinrecovery.net/) Free online learning platform for families whose loved one struggles with drugs or alcohol. ### Identifying Signs of Drug Use - [Know the Warning Signs of Drug Use](https://drugfree.org/article/spotting-drug-use/) - [If You Suspect Substance Use, Begin Taking Action](https://drugfree.org/article/prepare-to-take-action) - [Is it “Just Experimenting?”](https://drugfree.org/article/is-substance-use-normal-teen-behavior/) - [Taking Action Starts with Talking. Start the Conversation with Your Child](https://drugfree.org/article/start-talking) ### Taking Action to Begin Helping Your Child - [If You Suspect Substance Use, Take Action](https://drugfree.org/article/prepare-to-take-action) - [Using Positive Reinforcement to Change Behaviors](https://drugfree.org/article/suggesting-treatment) - [How to Suggest Treatment to a Loved One](https://drugfree.org/article/suggesting-treatment) - [Skills to Help Your Child and Family Heal](https://drugfree.org/article/skills-to-help-your-child-and-family-heal) - [Safeguard Against Drug Overdose](https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/how-can-i-prevent-my-son-or-daughter-from-overdosing) ### Fostering Behavior Change and Improving Communication - [Have a Conversation, not Another Confrontation](https://drugfree.org/article/start-talking) - [Use Positive Reinforcement to Change Behaviors](https://drugfree.org/article/suggesting-treatment) ### Medication Treatment - [Providers Clinical Support System: MAT FAQs for Family Members](https://pcssnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MAT-FAQs-for-Family-Members.pdf) - [U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, TIP-63 Medications for Opioid Use Disorder](https://library.samhsa.gov/product/tip-63-medications-opioid-use-disorder/pep21-02-01-002) - [U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, Advisory: Prescribing Pharmacotherapies for Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder](https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/PEP20-02-02-015.pdf) - [Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction](https://drugfree.org/article/medication-assisted-treatment) ### Protecting Your Own Wellbeing - [Coping with Fear, Anger and Other Negative Emotions](https://drugfree.org/article/coping-fear-anger) - [The Emotions I Went through as the Parent of an Addicted Child](https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/from-discovery-to-recovery-my-emotional-journey-as-the-parent-of-an-addict) - [Where There Is Life, There Is Hope](https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/where-there-is-life-there-is-hope) ### Supporting your Child Throughout the Addiction Recovery Process - [Your Child just Completed Addiction Treatment. Now What?](https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/steps-to-take-before-son-or-daughter-returns-from-addiction-treatment) - [Continuing Care following Addiction Treatment](https://drugfree.org/article/after-drug-treatment) - [Risks for Relapse and Overdose, and What You Can Do](https://drugfree.org/article/relapse-overdose) ### Videos - [Information Impacts Action: Debunking Myths About the Family and Recover](https://youtu.be/pu3Nt6TS0Vk)y - [Changing Minds – How Addiction Changes the Brain](https://youtu.be/iXid3U-2WWk) - [**Center for Motivation and Change: Foundation for Change**](https://cmcffc.org/)**:** Includes numerous resources, including videos, podcasts, blogs, and research. - [Center for Motivation and Change’s 20 Minute Guide](https://the20minuteguide.com/) - [**Invitation to Change (ITC)**](https://cmcffc.org/community-groups-hub/itc-support-groupdirectory): An evidence-based method to provide skills to family and friends impacted by substance use. - [**Partnership to End Addiction**](https://drugfree.org/): Information and online support and coaching from professionally trained parents with similar experience. - [**Recovery Research Institute**](https://www.recoveryanswers.org/resource/guide-family-members/): Guide for family members - [**Family Drug Support**](https://www.fds.org.au/): Australian model used to help families impacted by substance use includes helpful videos, resources, and a mock online support group: - [**Parent CRAFT**](http://www.cadenceonline.com) (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) Online - [**SMART Recovery**](http://www.smartrecovery.org): Offers in person and online evidence-based groups for friends and family members as well as information and other online support. - [**Shatterproof Educating Families**](https://www.shatterproof.org/our-work/educatingandempowering-communities/educating-families) - Finding mental health services using [**Psychology Today**](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists): The Psychology Today website has a tool for finding therapists, psychiatrists, treatment centers and support groups. You can sort by zip code, tele-therapy vs. in-person, insurance type, or issues you want to work on. All therapists are licensed; contact information is listed on the website to make it easy to reach out and see if they are taking new clients. - Calling the MA behavioral health helpline: Massachusetts has a free behavioral health helpline that can connect you directly to clinical help for both mental health and substance use concerns. Call or text 833.773.2445 or visit to get help. - In Therapy: The Unfolding Story by Susie Orbach: This book is a collection of therapy session transcripts which can be a helpful way to better understand what therapy is about for people who may have never tried it before. - [**What are the Treatment Options?**](https://drugfree.org/article/what-are-the-treatment-options) Before making any decisions about substance use and addiction treatment for your child, take time to understand the options available. - [**Learn How to Navigate the Addiction Treatment System**](https://drugfree.org/article/navigating-the-treatment-system)**:** Figuring out the type of care needed, getting your loved one into a program, and getting it covered by insurance aren’t easy. Get the full picture. - [**Which Treatments to Look For and Which to Avoid**.](https://drugfree.org/article/what-to-look-for-and-what-to-avoid-when-looking-for-an-addiction-treatment-program/) Unethical addiction treatment is unfortunately abundant. Learn to discern quality, clinical treatment versus treatment from providers who operate without your child’s best interest at heart. - [**U.S Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Treatment Locator**](https://findtreatment.gov): The website features a list of treatment facilities searchable by zip code or you can call their 24-hour helpline at 1.800.662.4357. - [**Safe Locator**](https://safelocator.org): A tool to quickly and easily find treatment and resources for people who use substances problematically and family members. - [**Partnership to End Addiction Treatment eBook**](https://drugfree.org/download/treatment-ebook/) - [**ATLAS (Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standard) Platform**](https://www.treatmentatlas.org/) - [**National Institute on Drug Abuse**](https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat3rdEd508.pdf) - [**National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Alcohol Treatment Navigator®**](https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/) - [**Massachusetts Treatment Locator**](https://helplinema.org/): You can also call 800.327.5050. To locate similar resources in other states, contact your state department of public health or visit their website. - [**HAMS: Harm Reduction for Alcohol**](https://hams.cc/) - [**Publicly Funded Family Intervention Programs:**](https://helplinema.org/treatment-recovery/youth-young-adult-services/) The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services supports a number of family intervention programs across the state. ### Steps to Take During Addiction Treatment - [**Things to Do before They Come Home from Addiction Treatment**:](https://drugfree.org/article/after-drug-treatment/#Keeping%20your%20child%20healthy%20following%20treatment) It’s an emotional time when your child returns home from rehab—in many ways a new start. Take steps to help support their recovery from addiction. - [**Make a Recovery Plan with Your Child**:](https://drugfree.org/article/after-drug-treatment/#Make%20a%20recovery%20plan%20together,%20too) Before your child heads home from residential treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, it’s a good idea to create a recovery plan together. Learn how. - [**Learn Skills to Help Your Child and Family Heal**](https://drugfree.org/article/skills-to-help-your-child-and-family-heal): Hitting “rock bottom” isn’t the only way. Learn about changing your child’s substance use and helping them recover by staying involved in a positive way. - [**Self-Care for Yourself**](https://drugfree.org/article/i-know-i-need-to-take-care-of-myself-too-but-how/): It’s normal to feel consumed by your child’s problems with substance use. But it’s vital that you take care of yourself. - [Learn to Cope](https://www.learn2cope.org) - [Al-Anon & Alateen](https://al-anon.org/) - [Nar-Anon](https://www.nar-anon.org) - [SMART Recovery Family & Friends](https://www.smartrecovery.org/family/) - [NAMI Family Support Groups](https://namimass.org/programs/nami-family-support-groups) - [The Support Group Project](http://www.supportgroupproject.org/about/) ## Resources for Families Dealing With a Substance-Related Death Books Support Groups and Online Resources Videos Advocacy Groups Finding Mental Health Services Books Support Groups and Online Resources Videos Advocacy Groups Finding Mental Health Services ### Resources for Reflection - Understanding Your Grief after a Drug-Overdose Death: Words of Hope and Healing by Alan Wolfelt - Living When a Loved One Has Died: Revised Edition by Earl Grollman - I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One by Brook Noel & Pamela Blair - Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman - Navigating Grief: A Guided Journal: Prompts and Exercises for Reflection and Healing by Mia Roldan ### Perspectives - Grief Diaries: Surviving Loss by Overdose by Linda Cheldelin Fell, Shannie Jenkins & Whitney O’Brien - Life Between Falls: A Travelogue Through Grief and the Unexpected by Julie Lange ### Loss of a Child - From Heroin to Hope: Making Sense of the Loss of a Child by Marsha Wiggins - When the Bough Breaks: Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter by Judith Bernstein - Losing Jonathan by Robert & Linda Waxler - Beyond Tears: Living After Losing a Child, Revised Edition, by Ellen Mitchell - When a Child Dies from Drugs: Practical Help for Parents in Bereavement by Pat Wittenberger - You Are the Mother of All Mothers by Angela Miller - I Am Your Disease by Sheryl McGinnis and Heiko Ganzer ### Books for Children - When Someone Very Special Dies by Marge Heedgaard - When Something Terrible Happens by Marge Heegaard - The Next Place by Warren Hanson - [**SADOD - Support After a Death by Overdose**](https://sadod.org): Resources, information, and assistance for people throughout Massachusetts who have been affected by the death of someone they care about from a substance-use-related cause. The website includes a support group directory, as well as a free grief booklet. - [**Grief Recovery After Substance Passing (GRASP)**](http://grasphelp.org/): In-person and online support groups and resources - [**Compassionate Friends**](https://www.compassionatefriends.org/): In person and online support groups - [**Hope Floats**](https://www.hopefloatswellness.org/): Offers many online support groups specific to different groups (e.g., siblings, people who have been grieving for five or more years) - [**The Sun Will Rise Foundation**](https://www.thesunwillrise.org/): Grief support groups specific to drug-related deaths are offered in person across South Shore, via Zoom, and the Facebook community. - [**What’s your grief?**](https://whatsyourgrief.com/) ### Articles to Help You Find Comfort If You've Lost a Child - [What I Wish More People Understood About Losing a Child](https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17928/what-i-wish-more-people-understood-about-losing-a-child.html) - [My Daughter Died from an Overdose. I'm Sharing Her Story to Help Others.](https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/my-daughter-died-from-an-overdose-im-sharing-her-story-to-help-others) - [The Empty Chair at Our Holiday Table](https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/the-empty-chair-at-our-holiday-table) - [**Refuge in Grief**](https://youtu.be/l2zLCCRT-nE) (only three minutes) - [**My Son Danny**](https://youtu.be/8GndHHT82fU): The Truth about Substance Use, Stigma and Overdose by Petra Schulz at TEDxMacEwanU - [**Team Sharing Inc.**](https://www.teamsharinginc.org): A national organization of parents who have lost a child to substance use disorder (SUD) - [**Moms Stop the Harm**](http://www.momsstoptheharm.com/): A network of Canadian families whose loved ones have died due to substance use or who have loved ones coping with addiction - Finding mental health services using [**Psychology Today**](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists): The Psychology Today website has a tool for finding therapists, psychiatrists, treatment centers and support groups. You can sort by zip code, tele-therapy vs. in-person, insurance type, or issues you want to work on. All therapists are licensed and contact information is listed on the website to make it easy to reach out and see if they are taking new clients. - **In Therapy: The Unfolding Story by Susie Orbach**: This book is a collection of therapy session transcripts, which can be a helpful way for people who haven't tried therapy before to better understand what it's about ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/ed07dac7-aa87-4594-8559-4a38d8acdd76/shutterstock_200204474?io=transform:fill,width:350,gravity:center&format=webp) ## Partnership to End Addiction The Partnership to End Addiction is a nonprofit, and its services are made available for the sole purpose of helping you find the best solutions for your child and your family. You can connect with a parent specialist for free and confidential one-on-one support for your family. The Helpline has trained and caring master’s-level specialists ready to help any parent struggling with a child’s drug or alcohol use. They are here to listen, help you find answers, and make an action plan. Call, connect via text message, or [email](https://drugfree.org/email-helpline-specialist) to get help. Support is available in English and Spanish. #### Get Help By Phone Call Call **855.378.4373** to speak to a parent specialist from the Partnership to End Addiction. Parent specialists will listen to your story and propose a personalized course of action, offering the best tools and resources to help you help your child, yourself, and your family. #### Get Help By Text Message Text **55753** to contact a parent specialist. You'll get a response in 24 to 48 hours. To allow Helpline specialists to provide the best help possible, please include as many details as possible in your message, such as: - Your child’s age - The primary drug you’re concerned about - Whether or not your child has been to, or sought treatment - Any questions you may have #### Get Help By Email [**Email a parent specialist**](https://drugfree.org/email-a-helpline-specialist/) from the Partnership to End Addiction. You'll get a response in 24 to 48 hours. To allow Helpline specialists to provide the best help possible, please include as many details as possible in your message, such as: - Your child’s age - The primary drug you’re concerned about - Whether or not your child has been to, or sought treatment - Any questions you may have #### Please Note The Helpline is not a crisis hotline. If you are in need of immediate or emergency services, please call 911 or a 24-hour crisis hotline such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800.273.TALK (8255), or the National Domestic Violence hotline, 800.799.SAFE (7233).