Worcester, Massachusetts, is a suburb nestled outside of Boston inside Worcester County. The county as a whole is home to 830,622 people, making it the second-most populous county in the state. Worcester is the largest city inside the county. The area is home to nine different colleges and universities within the region, and there is a variety of restaurants and other activities to meet the needs of anyone. Unfortunately, despite its affluent population, Worcester has been experiencing a significant increase in opioid overdose deaths.
The United States has been dealing with an influx of opioid-related deaths, and Worcester County hasn’t been immune. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released their latest preliminary numbers when it comes to the overdose crisis, and they found 93,331 people died in the United States in 2020 of overdose deaths. The figures are up an unconscionable 29.4 percent over the 72,151 deaths in 2019.
In 2019, the CDC estimates that opioid overdose deaths increased from 50,963 in 2019 to 69,710 in 2020. Overdose deaths from drugs like fentanyl were the main culprit behind the incredible influx in one year. While the country as a whole is battling the crisis, areas like Worcester are working on getting those addicted into opioid treatment.
As one of ten municipalities in Massachusetts, Worcester is experiencing one of the worst rates of climbing overdoses. According to the Department of Public Health (DPH), heroin and fentanyl-related overdoses rose a dramatic 50 percent from 2014 to 2018. In 2014, fentanyl was found in 41.6 percent of the state’s opioid overdose victims, but by 2018 that number was 89 percent of overdose victims testing positive for the potent opioid. It’s reported that Worcester County is one of three counties in the state and eight across New England that have been decimated by prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl.
Fentanyl has emerged as the most highly sought out opioid drug because it’s cheap and highly potent. It’s considered by experts as 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. A dose as little as 700 micrograms have the ability to be fatal. Unlike heroin, fentanyl is produced in clandestine labs across the border by drug cartels, who receive the precursor for the drug from China. The result has been a deadly wave of death and destruction in communities all over. Another concern is that fentanyl has been found laced in other drugs like cocaine. An unsuspecting person who ingests fentanyl is likely to overdose, especially if they intended for a stimulating buzz. No matter your tolerance to fentanyl, an overdose is always possible.
In Worcester, 86 percent of deaths involving stimulants were also found to have opioids present. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 88 percent of all drug overdose deaths in Massachusetts involved at least one opioid in 2018. It has been challenging for several years, especially for those taking fentanyl. According to the state, those who entered addiction treatment in 2017 listed heroin, alcohol, and crack/cocaine as their primary drugs of abuse.
Although there are no positives when it comes to opioid addiction, it has led to several centers near Worcester opening up and providing relief. If you’re battling opioid addiction and you’re ready to make a change in your life, you should consider opioid treatment in Worcester, MA. Checking yourself into a facility that provides around-the-clock care can help you overcome your battle and prevail.
Opioid Treatment in Worcester, MA
It’s common to feel as though you’ve lost hope and there’s no way out. Fortunately, treatment exists to bring you through to the other side almost unscathed. While it’ll be quite the journey to achieve lasting and meaningful sobriety, a team of professionals will assist you each step of the way. If you’ve always wondered how that process works, we’ll explain the continuum of care below and answer your questions.
Detox
Detox is the first and most intensive stage of the process to get sober. Those addicted to opioids describe how uncomfortable withdrawal is, and it’s one of the primary barriers to them getting help. Many discuss using opioids to avoid the sickness at a certain point because it doesn’t really get them high. Opioid detox is not dangerous compared to other drugs, but it’ll make you feel bad enough that you give up if you’re alone and relapse, which can be difficult if you run into fentanyl or use a high dose of heroin when your tolerance is low. For that reason, checking yourself into a detox center is your best bet to avoid the stress and pain that come during withdrawal.
The first step when you enter detox is to undergo a thorough assessment to determine what you’ll need and what the steps will be for you moving forward. So what does detox offer? Those looking to overcome their opioid addiction once and for all will receive around-the-clock care for a period of three to seven days from clinicians to ensure their safety and comfort. The length of stay will vary from one person to the next and is judged by the severity of your substance use disorder. For some, it could mean longer than seven days. Once they’ve completed their stay and doctors deem them medically stable, they’ll move to the next level of care.
Inpatient/Residential
Although detox is a vital step in your recovery process, it’s not enough to help you understand what causes your addiction. For that reason, an inpatient/residential facility is necessary to help you understand the root causes of your addiction. Without understanding, detox would fail you, and you’ll likely relapse. You’ll have the same cravings to use, and you won’t understand why which will lead you to use again. Moving you into a stable environment around your peers to reflect on your choices will help you immensely.
Inpatient care will last anywhere from 30 to 90 days, again, depending on the severity of your addiction. Each case is unique and will be treated that way. During your stay, you’ll be exposed to life -hanging therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT). It’ll teach you how to turn negative thoughts into positive ones and delve deeply into what’s causing you to abuse opioids. It’s the best choice for someone who’s been heavily involved in opioids and has relapsed several times before.
Partial Hospitalization
Partial hospitalization is a great next step for someone who’s gone through more intensive levels of care and isn’t quite ready to fully immerse themselves back into reality. Partial hospitalization must be available five days a week, occur during the day, and offer alternative hours. It’s a perfect step between leaving treatment and entering the real world.
Aftercare
You might think that because treatment has concluded, you’re ready to enter into life without any repercussions. However, that’s when the real challenges start. The caring staff at Serenity at Summit will continue helping you and connect you to alumni and 12-step programs to help foster your newly-founded sobriety. It’s a long journey ahead, but you’ll have those around you willing to help.
Opioid Treatment in Worcester, MA FAQ
If you’ve decided treatment is the right step for you, we understand there’s questions you might have about it. Let’s answer those below.
How Long is Rehab?
The process can last anywhere from 30 to 90 days. In some cases, it could be shorter, while in others, it could be longer. There is no predetermined length of time because all individuals’ care will be tailored. If you injected fentanyl for several years, your stay is likely to be longer than someone who used opioid medication as prescribed by their doctor and is looking to stop.
Does Serenity at Summit Provide Transportation
Yes, but you must speak with our intake coordinators about your needs prior to entry. We’ll transport you to and from the airport and to off-site appointments.
How Much Does Opioid Treatment Cost?
Someone who goes through the full continuum of care is likely to encounter higher costs than someone who goes through detox and outpatient care. We cannot provide a definitive figure, but you should contact your insurance company to see how much is covered.
What Insurance Carriers Does Serenity at Summit Accept?
We accept various insurance carriers. However, we’re in-network with the following:
- Aetna
- Compsych
- Cigna
- Beacon (Value Options)
