Substance Use Therapy in South Shore Massachusetts

by Northstar | Dec 20, 2022 | Recovery

If you’re experiencing difficulties with substance abuse, it can be hard to know when “enough is enough,” so to speak. Many people won’t take the step to seek treatment or therapy until they’ve hit their rock bottom moment. It doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re struggling to kick your reliance on substances like drugs and alcohol in south shore. MA, your life or the lives of those around you are being negatively impacted by your substance use, or you want things to look different for you than they currently do, then it’s time to seek treatment. The perfect moment to do it is now. 

How Can Substance Use Therapy for South Shore Massachusetts Help?

While several different interventions are available for substance use, which can be combined to aid your recovery, substance use therapy can be incredibly helpful. If you’re in the South Shore region of Massachusetts, there are substance use therapy programs near you that can get you on the right path. You don’t have to wait any longer. The first step of your new life can begin today.

Substance use therapy is an umbrella term for several different addiction therapy techniques. What works for one person may not help another in the same way, so it isn’t a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, substance use therapy utilizes different therapeutic approaches and techniques. Some of those techniques are highlighted below, but substance use therapy is meant to support the individual addict and will look different for everyone. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for South Shore Massachusetts

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one of the more common types of therapy. At its core, it aims to change the way that you think. It teaches methods to cope with unhelpful, untrue, and inaccurate thoughts − things that you believe are true and act on as if they’re true but, in reality, only serve to further your struggles. CBT also teaches techniques that will help you alter the behavior that is tied to stress and anxiety, which keeps people rooted in their addictions. 

The techniques used in CBT aim to teach you new, more effective ways of communication. You’ll also be able to build your self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem. One of the primary aims of this type of therapy is for you to know yourself again and be able to identify the triggers of your addiction so that you can overcome them. While it is hard work, CBT has been very successful in helping many addicts start (and stick to) their recovery. 

Group Therapy for South Shore Massachusetts

Addiction can feel isolating. It’s as though you’re cut off from your life and the people most important to you because no one is going through the same experience that you’re caught in. Group therapy is highly effective at removing that sense of isolation. It’s a way to share your story with others in similar situations and will allow you to see that you are not alone in your hardships or your attempt to rise above them. 

Group therapy can act as a kind of safety net for addicts. It’s a way to socialize with peers in a safe space, to share your experiences in a way that you know will yield understanding instead of judgment. It also gives people a way to hold themselves accountable but doesn’t have the same kind of intensity that individual or one-on-one therapy sometimes seems to have. 

Additionally, because group therapy involves people on their own tracks with treatment plans that might not match up with yours, it can be motivational. You’ll be able to meet addicts who are in different stages of their recovery. Some of them may have rebuilt their lives in ways you can aspire to and you’ll be able to see that it is possible to achieve. 

What Resources Are Out There? 

If you’re in South Shore, MA, and are looking for help to start recovery from substance abuse, you have many options for substance abuse therapy. These options include a range of different inpatient and outpatient programs focusing on individuals or families. 

Because addiction and substance use can begin as early as childhood, there are also programs out there for adolescents. Whatever your age, you can change your life and make a move toward getting sober. If you need substance use therapy in South Shore, MA, people and programs are waiting to help you.

It can sometimes be helpful in recovery to remove yourself from your usual environment, too. If that’s the case, Northstar Recovery Center is close by and well-equipped to guide you on your journey. 

Conclusion

You don’t have to wait until some unknown point when things are worse before you seek addiction treatment in Massachusetts. There are programs in and near the South Shore area right now that will get you on the path to recovery. You can retake control of your life by reaching out to them to start treatment. 

Outpatient Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment in Massachusetts

by Northstar | Dec 18, 2022 | Recovery

Twenty million – that’s the number of people suffering from substance use disorder in the United States. Of that 20 million, almost 83,000 entered into addiction treatment in Massachusetts. Help is out there, and outpatient substance use and mental health treatment in Massachusetts is at your fingertips. All you have to do is decide to take that first step forward, reach out, and take it. 

If you use or abuse substances or someone you care about is suffering from addiction and dependency, Northstar Recovery Center has outpatient programs that can help turn things around. 

What Is Outpatient Treatment in MA?

Outpatient addiction treatment in Massachusetts, in essence, means that you complete treatment while residing outside a facility. This is in opposition to the inpatient where you would be living inside some addiction treatment center for an extended period of time. Outpatient addiction treatment in MA allows people a degree of freedom to continue going about their regular lives – working, attending school, seeing or caring for their family, and so on. 

Many people can’t simply drop all of their responsibilities, or perhaps they’re just frightened or unwilling to give up every aspect of their routine. Inpatient care isn’t right for everyone, but outpatient treatments have saved millions of people. 

Types of Outpatient Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

Within the umbrella of “outpatient treatment” there are still numerous different types of addiction treatment programs offered. Some are more intense than others, requiring more of a time commitment, but there are options out there that can suit everyone. 

IOP in Massachusetts

IOP (intensive outpatient treatment) is the highest tier of outpatient treatment. It requires the most time commitment − typically two to four hours a day for a few days a week. To be successful with an IOP, you’ll need a stable, safe environment at home and the ability to arrange your schedule around those sessions on different days. 

IOP grants access to therapies and interventions that have been proven to be successful for substance abuse patients. This includes individual therapy, group therapy, possibly family and trauma therapy, or whatever suits the individual needs of the person participating. 

Evening IOP in Massachusetts

Northstar Recovery Center goes one step further in offering Evening IOP, allowing people to carry on with their work or daily commitments and then receive treatment at night. It eliminates a worry that so many people have – that they’ll have to give up or suspend their livelihood and routine by entering outpatient addiction treatment in Massachusetts. Evening IOP cuts out that concern and makes it as convenient as possible to begin your new and improved life. 

Support Groups

Different support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous) can be incredibly helpful components of outpatient treatment. While they’re not “treatment” on their own, they can help people to stay on track and accountable, while also fostering social relationships with people who will support their recovery. Group therapy is typically included in outpatient treatment programs, and support groups can continue to fill in that space for those in recovery. 

What’s Included in Outpatient Treatment?

In outpatient treatment, you’ll have access to the same types of therapies that are used with more intense programs. The biggest difference is the amount of time you spend on those therapies. 

You’ll have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one, individual therapy. This might include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you learn about yourself, your addiction, and how to change the behaviors that guide it. Trauma therapy may also be included as part of your individual therapy. 

Outpatient therapy also involves group therapy, which (as mentioned in the “Support Group” section above) is one of the best ways for people in recovery to meet and socialize with others who understand their struggles. It removes the loneliness and isolation that go along with addiction, and group therapy gives many people a chance to speak to others in ways they wouldn’t feel safe doing otherwise. 

Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts Right for You?

Some important criteria will determine whether or not outpatient treatment is the right option for your recovery. 

First and foremost, do you have a safe and supportive home environment? With outpatient treatment, you’ll be staying at your residence, not at a facility, so that needs to be an environment you’re comfortable in. If you live somewhere or with people who might jeopardize your recovery, outpatient treatment might not be as successful. 

Those who need 24/7 monitoring or care are also not the right candidates for outpatient therapy. They could benefit more from inpatient treatment or, perhaps, partial-hospitalization programs instead. 

The ideal outpatient treatment “candidate” has a strong support network to return to at the end of the day, is willing to make time for sessions, and does not require heavy monitoring or aid throughout the day and night. 

Conclusion

Outpatient therapy has helped millions of people move beyond their addictions and dependencies and build new lives for themselves. If you’re seeking the best outpatient substance use and mental health treatment in Massachusetts, you’ll find it at Northstar Recovery Center. Reach out to take the first step toward a new, sober you. 

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Near Boston, MA

by Northstar | Dec 15, 2022 | Recovery

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can derail your whole life. It changes how you see yourself and alters your relationships with friends, family, and those you love the most. If you’re struggling with substance use disorder in Massachusetts, the odds are that no aspect of your life hasn’t been (or won’t eventually be) touched by it. Still, it can be hard to determine when it’s time to seek addiction treatment in Massachusetts and even harder to take the first step toward actually doing it. It might feel scary or even shameful, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re in Massachusetts and struggling with addiction, there are resources and options for substance use disorder treatment near Boston, MA right now that can help you. 

Understanding Substance Use Disorder Treatment near Boston, MA

The idea of seeking out substance use treatment can be frightening, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Addiction is a routine. Any routine can be hard to break away from, especially when dependency on any substance is involved. It’s life-changing in every sense. While it can feel impossible to give that up and step into the unknown, it’s completely doable and within your reach. 

Still, it might be easier to remove some of the mystery and figure out what you can expect when entering substance use disorder treatment. Every addict deserves an individual plan, and what works for one person may not be successful for someone else. Below, you’ll find a brief look at different treatment options and who they’re best suited for. 

Partial Hospitalization Program near Boston, Massachusetts

The partial hospitalization program (PHP) is more intense than an outpatient program. Some people need (or want) something more strictly structured to keep them in line with their recovery efforts. If that’s the case, PHP may be the right choice. If you enter Northstar Recovery’s PHP, for example, you may spend up to six hours daily in various therapy and interventions. 

Some people may gain more than others from a PHP. Those who benefit from medical supervision but don’t necessarily need it 24/7 and who require more intervention than a more loosely-structured outpatient program can provide are ideal candidates for PHP. If you’re not having severe withdrawal symptoms and do need to continue with your life outside treatment, whether that’s going to work, attending school, or simply seeing to other responsibilities, but still need to commit a lot of time to addiction treatment in MA to stick to it, consider a partial hospitalization program. You’ll have daily access to treatment for several hours a day every weekday, including individual and group therapy sessions. 

Intensive Outpatient Program 

IOP, or intensive outpatient program, is a type of treatment that is not quite at the level of commitment of PHP but requires more time and participation than typical outpatient treatment. You’ll be able to continue with your regular life, but still spend several hours a week working through therapy and other interventions. Group therapy is beneficial in IOPs in MA. 

Anyone entering into an IOP in Massachusetts must ensure that they have a safe, supportive home environment for it to be most effective. If you’re only in treatment 3−5 days a week for a few hours, you’ll need to be going home to a place (and people) that won’t hinder your recovery. If that isn’t the case for you, an IOP might not be the right answer. However, it can and has helped many addicts who need a little more than outpatient and a bit less than partial hospitalization. 

How to Determine When to Seek Addiction Treatment near Boston, MA

Now that you know about a couple of types of substance use disorder treatment near Boston, MA, (both can be found at Northstar Recovery Center) is it time for you to seek treatment? If you’re having doubts, ask yourself a few questions. If any of the answers are yes, you could benefit from treatment. 

• Has using become your main priority? If using your substance of choice occupies most of your thoughts, is the first thing you think of when you wake up, or has started to take the place of important activities, responsibilities, and relationships, it’s time to get help. 
• Is your health affected? This could be mental or physical health. If your substance use negatively impacts your body or mind, seek treatment options now. 
• Do you need increased amounts? If you’re building a tolerance to a substance and need more of it to feel some effect, take a step back and get help for your substance use. 
• Do you have cravings? If you have started to develop cravings or have a strong desire to use a substance, you’re developing (or already have) a physical dependency on that substance. Don’t wait any longer before enrolling in treatment. 

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with addiction and substance use, don’t let your situation or dependency worsen before seeking help. There are options for substance use disorder treatment near Boston, MA, that can help you now. Seize the opportunity and take back your life. 

IOP in Massachusetts: Why Choose It?

by Northstar | Dec 12, 2022 | Recovery

It can be challenging for those who face substance abuse issues to admit that they have a problem.

It might take months or years, and some even struggle for decades before they can seek help. One of the reasons that can prevent someone from seeking treatment is that they can’t just step away from their whole life to get it. They still have responsibilities to take care of, jobs to work, and maybe a family that depends on them. All that doesn’t just disappear when they seek help for their addiction. 

Fortunately, there are a lot of options out there for treatment. If you’re in a position where you want to begin your recovery but still need to lead a relatively normal life while doing it, an IOP in Massachusetts, as you’ll find at Northstar Recovery Center, might be the solution for you. 

What Is an IOP in Massachusetts?

IOP stands for an intensive outpatient program, a type of substance use disorder treatment. It is the middle step between a regular outpatient program and partial hospitalization or inpatient recovery. For many addicts who fit the criteria for an IOP, it can be just as effective as inpatient treatment. IOP involves regular therapy and other intervention treatments, but you’ll still be able to live in your own home while going through the program. 

What Are the Benefits of IOP in Massachusetts?

Anyone who is having issues with substance use will require a unique approach to treatment and a personal recovery plan, but some particular benefits come with IOPs in MA. 

One of the significant perks of an IOP in MA is that you can continue your routine while participating. While it doesn’t provide as much freedom as a standard outpatient procedure, you will still be living at home and will have the opportunity to arrange your schedule around the IOP. It doesn’t require you to step completely out of your regular life, which just isn’t possible for everyone. 

You can expect to be in the program for a more extended amount of time than in a typical outpatient program. This tends to be highly beneficial, as longer treatment times typically result in higher success with recovery. People enrolled in IOPs in MA also tend to stick with the program more reliably than those involved in the less intensive outpatient programs. Because you will spend a considerable amount of time engaging with the interventions included in the IOP, it becomes part of a routine to hold yourself accountable. 

In an IOP, you’ll still have access to the most effective therapies for substance use, such as:

• Individual therapy – This includes one-on-one sessions with your therapist that will help you work through your relationship with substances. It includes things like identifying why you started to use substances and what your triggers are, as well as teaching you relaxation techniques and how to cope with stress, anxiety, and difficult situations without jeopardizing your recovery. 
• Group therapy – The specifics of group therapy sessions can vary. It might be a small group of only a few people or up to a dozen or so who participate, and there’s often a range of different topics brought up by the person leading the session. Group therapy has proved to be an invaluable tool for many during their recovery, as it gives them a platform to talk to others who are facing similar issues to their own. The sense of isolation that addicts feel can be crushing, and group therapy is an excellent way to combat it. 

Overall, an IOP in Massachusetts gives you access to several helpful treatments for a longer period. Typically, people engage with the program a few days a week for 2−4 hours a day. Committing that amount of time tends to strike the right balance. It isn’t overwhelming or unreachable, but it is still enough to keep people on track and to participate. 

Who Makes a Good Candidate for IOP in MA? 

Nobody’s addiction or substance use is identical to another person’s. Even if they look the same on paper, everyone responds to treatment differently. If you require 24/7 care or more regular, prolonged access to therapies and interventions, an IOP in Massachusetts might not meet your needs. 

Those enrolled in an IOP need a safe, supportive home environment to return to. Because you won’t be staying at a facility, having a place to stay that will help (not hinder) your recovery is crucial to the success of the IOP. 

IOPs tend to work best for those who can work several hours a week into their routine for sessions. You’ll still have access to your regular life, but an IOP does require a time commitment. 

Conclusion

If you’re seeking help with your substance use but still need to lead your regular life, consider an IOP. Don’t put off treatment because you can’t cast everything else aside – you don’t have to. Get the help you need today, and contact Northstar Recovery Center to see if their IOP in Massachusetts is right for you.