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Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs Serving the Cambridge, Massachusetts Area:

IMPACT

54 Washburn Avenue
Cambridge, MA. 02140
617-661-5700 x117

A leading provider of Behavioral Healthcare Services in the Cambridge / Somerville Area.

North Charles Institute for Addictions Medication Unit

1493 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA. 02140
617-429-3572

Like other substance abuse treatment facilities, North Charles Institute for Addictions is committed to ongoing recovery for drug and alcohol abusers living in Cambridge and within the surrounding region. As such, this drug and alcohol treatment facility has been offering care like activity therapy, anger management, contingency management/motivational incentive, cognitive/behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing and more.

In Addition, North Charles Institute for Addictions knows that it is essential that its patients receive individualized care to ensure that they are successful. They specialize in several programs such as transgender or (LGBT) clients, child care for clients children, self-help groups, programs for the hearing impaired, aftercare/continuing care, persons with post-traumatic stress disorder and others that you can find listed below. Each of the services that the organization provides are also available in different settings - inpatient detoxification facilities, short term drug abuse treatment, inpatient rehabs, outpatient day treatment, long term drug and alcohol rehab facilities and more.

This rehab also has aftercare plans that can help you find permanent and lasting sobriety in the long term. Finally, North Charles Institute for Addictions accepts cash or self-payment, private insurance, sliding fee scale, payment assistance, state corrections or juvenile justice funds, county or local government funds and others.

North Charles Institute for The Addictions

54 Washburn Avenue
Cambridge, MA. 02140
617-661-5700

A leading provider of Behavioral Healthcare Services in the Cambridge / Somerville Area.

Caspar Inc Womanplace

11 Russell Street
Cambridge, MA. 02140
617-661-6020 x2

A leading human service agency in Boston serving individuals facing the challenges of developmental disabilities, addiction, mental illness and/or aging.

Commonly Asked Questions about Addiction and Treatment

Who is SAMHSA?

SAMHSA, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is an U.S. federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Established in 1992, its primary mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American communities. SAMHSA focuses on improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services related to substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Some of the key functions and responsibilities of SAMHSA include:

• Funding: SAMHSA provides grants and funding to states, territories, tribes, communities, and organizations to support the delivery of mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
• Technical assistance: The agency offers technical assistance and training to service providers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to enhance their capacity to deliver evidence-based practices and improve the quality of care.
• Data collection and analysis: SAMHSA collects and analyzes data on behavioral health in the United States, including the prevalence and patterns of substance use and mental health conditions. This information helps inform policy, program planning, and decision-making at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Public awareness and education: SAMHSA raises awareness about the importance of behavioral health, promotes evidence-based practices, and works to reduce stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Guidelines and best practices: The agency develops and disseminates guidelines, best practices, and other resources to improve the effectiveness of prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
• Collaboration and partnerships: SAMHSA collaborates with other federal agencies, state and local governments, professional organizations, advocacy groups, and community stakeholders to coordinate efforts and resources to address behavioral health issues.

To support its mission, SAMHSA operates various centers, such as the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the Center for Mental Health Services. Additionally, the agency manages the National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP), a confidential, free, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.

What does fentanyl do to a person?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It's typically used to treat severe pain, especially after surgery, or to manage pain in individuals with chronic illnesses who have developed a tolerance to other opioids.

When used under medical supervision, fentanyl can effectively relieve pain. However, when used illicitly or without a prescription, it can have severe, and even fatal, effects. Here's what fentanyl can do to a person:

Physical Effects: In the short term, fentanyl can induce feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and decreased perception of pain. However, it also slows breathing and can lead to unconsciousness or death from respiratory failure, particularly in high doses or when combined with other substances that depress the central nervous system.

Dependency and Addiction: Fentanyl is highly addictive. Regular use can lead to physical dependence, where the body requires the drug to function normally, and psychological addiction, where a person feels a compulsive need to use the drug despite its harmful consequences.

Overdose Risk: Due to its potency, the risk of overdose with fentanyl is high, especially if a person mistakenly believes they're taking a less potent opioid, as illicit fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs. Overdose can lead to severe respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and death.

Withdrawal: Once a person becomes dependent on fentanyl, stopping its use can result in withdrawal symptoms. These can include muscle and bone pain, sleep problems, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and uncontrollable leg movements.

Long-Term Health Effects: Chronic fentanyl use can lead to an array of health problems, including severe constipation, increased sensitivity to pain, confusion, depression, and increased risk of infections due to needle sharing (if injected).

Due to its potency and high risk of overdose, non-medical use of fentanyl is extremely dangerous. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl or other opioid use, it's crucial to seek professional help immediately.

What to do if someone has a fentanyl overdose?

Fentanyl overdose is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate action. Here are the steps you should take:

• Recognize the Signs: Common signs of a fentanyl overdose include slow or irregular breathing, drowsiness or unresponsiveness, constricted or pinpoint pupils, and cold and clammy skin.
• Call Emergency Services: Dial your country's emergency number (911 in the U.S) immediately. Explain the situation clearly and provide any known information about the person's drug use.
• Administer Naloxone if Available: Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. If you have access to this medication, administer it according to the instructions, usually a spray in the nostril or an injection under the skin or into the muscle.
• Perform Rescue Breathing or CPR: If the person isn't breathing or has shallow breathing, start doing chest compressions and rescue breathing if you're trained to do so.
• Stay Until Help Arrives: Do not leave the person alone. Stay with them and try to keep them awake and responsive if possible.
• Provide Information: When emergency responders arrive, provide them with as much information as possible about the situation, including the person's age, weight, the drug they took, when they took it, and any underlying health conditions they might have.