Treatment Navigation

Individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can explore multiple paths to recovery. For many, treatment is often the first step on the recovery journey. Sometimes treatment looks like entering into a detox program, while other times treatment looks like working with an outpatient counselor. Each person has a personal path to recovery from substance use disorder, and treatment with medication is a medical standard of care. It can help people begin their recovery, regain their lives and place in the community, and improve relationships with family and friends. We hope this page will help you begin to understand treatment options available in Greater Lowell.

Looking for a step-by-step guide to finding treatment for SUD? Check out this resource from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

What should I know about treatment?

Treatment is effective and recovery is possible. For example, FDA-approved medications, combined with counseling and social support, have been shown to be effective at reducing opioid use and helping people recover. This combined approach reduces the likelihood a person will return to use and increases the odds of successful, long-term recovery in people with opioid use disorder.

Returning to substance use does not mean treatment has failed. As with the treatment of any substance use disorder, people may return to using their substance(s) of choice, but it does not mean treatment has failed. Treatment of any chronic condition involves changing deeply rooted behaviors. If a person returns to using substances, they should talk with their healthcare provider and discuss their treatment plan.

What types of treatment are there for substance use disorder?

There are many different types of treatment for SUD. Knowing what options are available may help to make an informed decision about your recovery path. Check out the following pages to learn more about the different types of SUD treatment that available in a variety of settings.

• Detox
• Medication Assisted Treatment
• Residential
• Inpatient
• Outpatient
• Structured Outpatient Treatment
• Counseling
• Recovery Coaching
• Pregnant and Postpartum Mothers

What might it cost to access treatment for substance use disorder?

Are you worried about the cost of treatment? You are not alone. Understanding the cost of treatment is important. You can access treatment in Massachusetts with or without health insurance. If you have health insurance, knowing what type of insurance you have is important. If you are a Massachusetts resident, click HERE to read the advice that the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline has to offer about accessing SUD treatment.

• Click HERE to read more about paying for treatment.
• If you have health insurance, click HERE to learn about factors to consider.
• If you do not have insurance, click HERE to read about factors to consider. Looking to learn more about insurance options? Check out the Massachusetts Health Connector.

Where can I find help for substance use disorder?

• In the blue rectangle below, you’ll find the most up-to-date resource guide for our area. You can download and share this guide.
• Check out The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline, which is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. You can also call them directly at 1-800-327-5050.
• Check out WellConnected.net for treatment and other resources local to the Greater Lowell area.
• Veteran’s can search the VA’s website to locate SUD treatment programs by state.
• Most communities in Greater Lowell have people designated by the town/city to engage in services such as post-overdose follow-up, substances use disorder outreach, and/or mental health-police department collaboration that can help residents access SUD, harm reduction, and other services. Find your community on the My Community page to learn more about what services your community offers.
• For local and national resources, check out FindTreatment.gov, a treatment search engine maintained by SAMHSA. You can also call them at 1-800-662-4357 for help finding treatment.