Top 33 Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Boston, MA & Free Treatment Resources

Private Insurance

Every insurance provider is required by law to cover substance abuse and mental health services to some extent. Contact your provider to learn about the specific coverage they offer, which varies by company.

Medicaid

In Massachusetts, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are rolled into one program, called MassHealth. MassHealth members may be able to cover the cost of rehabilitation services through this government-funded option. Massachusetts residents must apply for benefits, and the provider must accept MassHealth as a method of payment. 

Medicare

Massachusetts Medicare is a program funded by the government to provide coverage for Massachusetts residents who are 65 or older, have been on Social Security Disability Insurance for two years, or have end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Medicare covers the cost of addiction treatment services; however, some rehab facilities and detox centers in Boston don’t accept Medicare methods of payment, so always check before enrolling in care. 

TRICARE

Massachusetts TRICARE (North region) is a program funded by the government to provide health insurance coverage for military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE covers addiction services for these individuals. 

Choose a Program That Offers Payment Plans: Certain places may offer payment plans. Payment plans are an easy way to get the rehab you need without having to have a lot of money to pay for the costs of rehab upfront.

Apply for a Scholarship: A scholarship is a financial award that you can receive if you don’t have the financial means to pay yourself. Scholarships can pay for the full cost or help fill in any gaps in funding from your insurance.

Free and Sliding-Scale Options: A sliding scale fee is a type of payment method that many programs employ. This type of payment option involves a flexible fee schedule in which your payment would change based on your ability to pay.

Medical Detox

A Detox usually occurs under medical supervision at a hospital or other treatment facility. It is the process of safely and comfortably removing drugs or alcohol from your system. Once detox is complete, you can transition to the next step. 

Inpatient

Inpatient, also known as residential treatment, involves staying at the facility to receive round-the-clock supervised care. Getting cared for in this setting typically includes individual and group therapy, recreational therapy, nutritional counseling, and medication.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

Massachusetts residents who participate in a PHP live at home while receiving treatment services at a hospital. This often includes many of the same methods as inpatient care, but instead of staying at the facility, you return home.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

IOPs allow Boston residents to attend counseling sessions several days a week. However, they are allowed to spend the rest of their time at home, at work, or fulfilling other obligations. 

Standard Outpatient

The least intensive option is standard outpatient. It involves just a couple of hours of treatment per week. This is best for highly motivated people with a strong support system.

Aftercare

Aftercare is for Boston residents who have completed a program. It is also referred to as relapse prevention. It includes ongoing support like 12-step groups, SMART recovery, and therapy. 

Holistic

Holistic programs use both conventional and alternative therapies. Some of the therapies offered in holistic rehab include expressive therapy, art therapy, acupuncture, osteopathic treatments, and spiritual and/or religious interventions.

Christian and Faith-Based

These use religion and spirituality as a central theme of the recovery process. The programs often incorporate Christian and faith-based teachings into the treatment model itself. These programs help encourage you to strengthen your faith in a higher power on your road to recovery.

Luxury 

Luxury facilities feature upscale amenities, such as private bathrooms and bedrooms, individualized therapies, and alternative methods like yoga and acupuncture. Some also offer equine therapy and nutrition and fitness counseling.

Executive 

These drug rehabs allow access to computers, phones, and sometimes private conference rooms so that you can still get your professional work done while working on your road to recovery.

Dual Diagnosis

A dual-diagnosis program works with individuals who have been diagnosed with both a substance use disorder as well as a mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on helping patients identify their own problematic thought patterns and actions, and to increase their understanding of how these behaviors impact their substance use. CBT is based on the idea that psychological problems are often rooted in cognitive distortions or faulty ways of thinking.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy intended to help people change problematic thoughts and behaviors by learning to manage and change negative emotions, rather than trying to escape from them.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

MET is a form of therapy that helps individuals strengthen their internal motivation and create a plan for change. Individuals with SUDs are often ambivalent about changing their behaviors, even when they are aware of the damage caused by their addiction.

Contingency Management

Contingency management uses positive reinforcement to help build positive habits. This approach uses strategic rewards or incentives to encourage behaviors such as attending treatment sessions and engaging in recovery-focused activities.

Group

Group therapy can be highly beneficial to individuals in a drug or alcohol treatment program. Group counseling provides a safe environment in which patients can build their interpersonal communication skills and learn from others who have been in their situation.

Family

Family therapy is integral to many programs. Research shows that when combined with individual counseling, family therapy can help reduce stress, improve mental health conditions, and help prevent relapse.¹²

9-1-1 Good Samaritan Law: In 2012, Massachusetts passed the 9-1-1 Good Samaritan law. It provides that anyone who calls 9-1-1 during an overdose emergency won’t be charged with possession of a controlled substance. This law was created to encourage more people to call emergency services during overdoses.¹³

Naloxone Standing Order: Massachusetts state law allows for an individual to obtain naloxone (Narcan) with the intention to administer it to another person in the event of an emergency overdose. Further, anyone can administer naloxone as emergency care for an opioid-related overdose without fear of legal repercussions.¹⁴

Marijuana Decriminalization: In 2016, Massachusetts legalized marijuana for recreational use by adults 21 years and older. Adults can legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana in public and up to 10 ounces in their own residences.¹⁵

Zero Tolerance Law: In Massachusetts, the legal BAC for drivers under 21 years of age is 0.02% instead of 0.08%. Violation of this law can result in up to three years of license suspension, 2.5 years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines, and a suspended license.¹⁶

Drug Classes: The state of Massachusetts has created five classes of controlled substances. Class A includes opioids. Class B includes cocaine. Class C includes some narcotics. Class D includes marijuana. Class E includes narcotics that contain additional substances. ¹⁷