Talk with an independent helpline about options, insurance and availability. Available 24/7.
Call 866-825-1171Treatment rules and programs in Massachusetts
Who oversees treatment
The Department of Public Health's Bureau of Substance Addiction Services oversees the statewide system of substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services and licenses treatment programs.
Prescription monitoring
The Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program, accessed through the Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool (MassPAT), is run under the Department of Public Health and lets authorized prescribers and pharmacists check Schedule II-V prescription histories.
Overdose Good Samaritan law
Under M.G.L. c. 94C s. 34A, a person who has an overdose or seeks medical help for one in good faith cannot be charged or prosecuted for simple possession of a controlled substance based on evidence gained from that call. It does not cover trafficking or intent to distribute.
Court-ordered treatment
Massachusetts has Section 35 (M.G.L. c. 123 s. 35), which lets a court order a person with an alcohol or substance use disorder into inpatient treatment when use creates a likelihood of serious harm.
Sources
Featured trauma-informed programs in Massachusetts
Recovery Centers of America – Danvers Outpatient
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Trauma-informedIOP / PHPRockland Recovery Treatment Center
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Inpatient / residentialTrauma-informedIOP / PHPGreater Boston Addiction Center
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Trauma-informedIOP / PHPAlcohol treatmentCharles River Recovery LLC
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Inpatient / residentialTrauma-informedIOP / PHPNortheast Addictions Treatment Center
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Trauma-informedIOP / PHPAlcohol treatmentAftermath Addiction Treatment Ctr LLC
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Trauma-informedIOP / PHPDrug treatmentMassachusetts Center for Addiction
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Inpatient / residentialTrauma-informedIOP / PHPMeta Addiction Treatment
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Trauma-informedIOP / PHPDrug treatmentTopsail Addiction Treatment Inc
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Trauma-informedIOP / PHPAlcohol treatmentChapters Recovery Center Inc
LGBTQ program (SAMHSA)Trauma-informedIOP / PHPAlcohol treatmentFamily, rejection and recovery
Many LGBTQ people carry experiences of family rejection or strained relationships into treatment. Research on LGBTQ young people has linked family rejection with higher rates of substance use and depression, while family acceptance is protective.
Good programs make room for chosen family and offer family sessions when they help. Our guide on family rejection and recovery covers this in more depth.
What "LGBTQ-friendly" should mean
Friendly should mean more than a rainbow logo. Look for an actual LGBTQ group, staff training, inclusive intake forms with space for your name and pronouns, and policies against harassment from other clients.
LGBTQ-Friendly Rehab by city in Massachusetts
Smaller towns are covered on the page for their nearest larger city.
- Boston
- Springfield
- Worcester
- Barnstable
- New Bedford
- Leominster
- Cambridge
- Lowell
- Brockton
- Quincy
- Lynn
- Fall River
- Newton
- Somerville
- Lawrence
- Framingham
- Haverhill
- Waltham
- Malden
- Weymouth
- Taunton
- Medford
- Pittsfield
- Chicopee
- Revere
- Peabody
- Methuen Town
- Everett
- Attleboro
- Salem
- Beverly
- Westfield
- Fitchburg
- Woburn
- Holyoke
- Amherst
- Chelsea
- Marlborough
- Braintree
- Watertown Town
- Randolph
- Franklin
- Gloucester
- North Attleborough
- Agawam
- West Springfield
- Northampton
- Melrose
- Bridgewater
- Greenfield
- Gardner
- Amherst Center
- Winthrop
- Newburyport
- Amesbury
- North Adams
- Southbridge
- Easthampton
- Palmer
- South Yarmouth
- East Falmouth
Paying for treatment
Most private health insurance plans cover addiction treatment, including detox, residential care and outpatient programs, though coverage depends on your plan and whether the program is in network. Ask about prior authorization before you go, and see our insurance guides.
Other treatment in Massachusetts
LGBTQ RehabGay & Gay-Friendly RehabLGBTQ Addiction TreatmentLGBTQ Drug RehabLGBTQ Alcohol RehabLGBTQ DetoxLGBTQ Dual Diagnosis Treatment