Behavioral Health Services for Union Members in Boston
Union workers, public service employees, and their family members have access to the best detox and rehab centers in Boston, Massachusetts with Union First. Our employee assistance program will match you with one of our trusted networks of behavioral health treatment centers in Boston and around the country. Struggling with substance abuse and/or mental illness poses several challenges in all areas of your life, but through comprehensive treatment programs that fit your needs, you can find long-term relief from symptoms. Top rated addiction treatment centers will offer personalized treatment plans made up of various evidence-based behavioral health treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, medication assisted treatment, group counseling, and relapse prevention planning.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Union First?
- Highest-Rated Alcohol Detox Program
- Drug Detox Program
- Top Alcohol Rehab in Boston
- Drug Rehab in Boston
- How Much Does Rehab Cost in Boston?
- How Long Is Detox?
- How Long Is Rehab?
- 30-Day Rehab
- Long-Term Rehab
- Additional Therapies & Addiction Treatments Available
- Does My Insurance Have Coverage for Rehab?
- MAT
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- EMDR
- Relapse Prevention
- Life Skills Training
- Vocational Training
- Group Therapy
- Experiential Therapy
- One-on-One Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
- Physical Fitness
- Off-Site Activities
- 12-Step Rehab in Boston
- Union First Helps Our Clients Keep Their Job While Undergoing Behavioral Health Treatment
- Why Choose Union First
- Recovery Friendly Things to Do in Boston
Why Choose Union First
Drug and alcohol addiction is unique to each person and not every treatment program will be the right fit for each person. Union First will match you with treatment programs that are best fit for you through our initial evaluation of your case. We will go through various addiction treatment programs available with you and place you with a trusted, effective treatment center in your area. Union First also offers various other services such as job protection, telemedicine, and advocacy to help you get the right substance abuse or mental health treatment fast while protecting your employment while you seek treatment. Our experts know how to use federal and state laws to protect your job, salary, benefits, and more while you take time off to get the right drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
Highest Rated Alcohol Detox Program
Union First works with the highest rated alcohol detox program in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. Alcohol detox programs can ease the withdrawal process with medications, holistic treatment, talk therapy, and more. Medical detox programs are imperative when you are at risk for developing delirium tremens or other dangerous withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol addiction. Medical teams made up of doctors and nurses will monitor your vitals and symptoms around the clock to ensure your physical safety and administer FDA approved medications that will ease symptoms. Often, those who attempt alcohol detox on their own quickly relapse due to the severely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Detox programs can ensure your safety and success while you comfortably detox in a secured, controlled environment away from temptations, influences, or triggers.
Drug Detox Program
Attempting to detox from substance abuse on your own comes with a high risk of early relapse and can lead to a medical emergency due to withdrawal symptoms and cravings. While most drug addictions do not have lethal withdrawal symptoms, they can lead to dangerous situations such as extreme dehydration, accidental overdose, or asphyxiation due to choking on vomit. Medical detox programs will include around the clock medical care and medication assisted treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms. Doctors and nurses are available 24/7 who will monitor your vitals, ensure your safety, and quickly administer lifesaving medical care in the event of an emergency. Union First can match you with caring and effective drug detox centers in the Boston area who can help you successfully stop substance abuse with minimal discomfort.
Top Alcohol Rehab in Boston
Alcohol detox is only the first step in addiction recovery programs. While they are highly effective in treating physical alcohol dependence, you still need psychological and behavioral professional help in order to achieve long-term recovery. Alcohol rehab will provide comprehensive treatment programs that will address the underlying or root cause of addiction through several types of therapies. Union First works with several licensed alcohol addiction treatment centers who offer a variety of levels of care including residential inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), and outpatient treatment. Inpatient programs will provide you with a safe, controlled environment to reside in so you can fully focus on your addiction recovery while outpatient programs allow you to live at home or a sober living facility, some will even be flexible enough for you to continue going to work or school while in treatment.
Drug Rehab in Boston
Drug rehab programs are similar to alcohol rehab programs, however they may have some more specialized addiction therapies to address the effects of several substances. Union First works with drug rehabs in Boston which offer individualized treatment plans, which are your best chance at long term recovery. Drug rehab programs will also vary in intensity from residential inpatient treatment to outpatient treatment programs. Treatment plans will be based on your initial physical and psychological evaluation and include a variety of therapies to address all the areas of your life and health that drug addiction has affected. Rehab programs will include coping skills and tools to help you manage your drug addiction on your own for a lifetime.
How Much Does Rehab Cost in Boston?
The cost of rehab in Boston and Suffolk County will vary depending on each person’s treatment program and the facility itself. Treatment program intensity will be one of the biggest factors that determine price. Inpatient rehabs will be the most costly because of the additional costs of room and board, which can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000 for a 30-day program. Massachusetts state run drug and alcohol rehabs tend to be free, however they usually have a long wait list and cooking cutter treatment plans. Other factors that will determine costs include:
Starting with drug and alcohol detox, around the clock medical care and medications can be expensive
- Length of program, short-term rehab has lower costs
- Location of treatment facility, affluent areas will costs more
- How much your insurance plan covers addiction treatment
- Amenities offered, luxury rehabs with a resort-like feel are quite costly
Union insurance plans can cover the costs of some or all your drug rehab costs. However, even without health insurance, you should never let the cost of treatment stop you from getting help. Rehab centers offer several financing programs and scholarships to help you pay for treatment. Union First can verify your insurance and find treatment programs covered by your plan.
How Long is Detox?
Drug and alcohol detox will vary in length depending on several factors, however most people will complete the withdrawal process within a week on average. Factors that can determine how long it takes your body to detox include length of addiction, severity of addiction, type of substance(s) used, presence of co-occurring disorder, frequency of use, and overall health. You can expect withdrawals to start with a few hours after last dose and peak at around day 2 or 3. Symptoms will then begin to dissipate and you should feel back to normal within a week. On occasion, some people will experience mild, lingering withdrawal symptoms for weeks or months later, referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Lingering co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression can be treated through dual diagnosis programs using psychotherapy and medication assisted treatment.
How Long is Rehab?
Length of rehab in Boston Massachusetts will vary between people. You can expect to go through various levels of care which may include drug detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient programs. In general, the longer or more severe your addiction, the longer your drug rehab program will be. Cooccurring disorders, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, will lengthen your program as well. Rehab programs can last between 10 to 90 days, or longer if necessary. Addiction treatment programs are most common in 30 day , 60 day or 90 day lengths. Clinicians will shorten or lengthen your stay depending on how you progress.
30 Day (Short Term Rehab Treatment)
Individuals with mild addiction often complete their program in 30 days or less. Short term rehab can provide a solid foundation with a drug and alcohol free environment and intensive addiction treatment program. Every person will have an individualized treatment plan in the best rehab centers in Boston. Treatment plans may include a detox period, individual and group therapy, 12 step programs, medication assisted treatment, and aftercare planning. These programs are useful in beginning the recovery process and it is important to follow up with other drug or alcohol rehab options upon completing the program, such as continued outpatient treatment or an aftercare program.
Long Term Rehab (60 – 90 Days)
60 to 90 day rehab, or long-term rehab, are often necessary for more severe addictions. Spending a longer period of time in recovery treatment will allow you to heal underlying causes of addiction plus learn and implement several tools and skills for managing your substance abuse disorder in the long run. Medical detox may be part of your rehab program as well. Those struggling with co-occurring disorders would benefit more from long-term rehab because dual diagnosis programs can provide more time to address and work through mental health disorders that may be part of your addiction. You can expect your personalized treatment plan to be made up of a variety of addiction and holistic therapies.
Additional Therapies & Addiction Treatments Available:
Boston drug rehabs in Union First’s network offer comprehensive treatment programs that aim to treat the physical, psychological, and behavioral aspects of addiction. Treatment plans will consist of a variety of addiction therapies and tailored to your individual needs. Drug rehabs will also include services to help you thrive in the real world independently and with the proper tools and skills to manage your addiction successfully. Every rehab center is different, and we will work with you to find treatment programs that meet your needs. Some types of treatments available in drug rehab centers include individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, relapse prevention, holistic therapies, and medication assisted treatment.
Does My Insurance Have Coverage for Rehab?
Your union health insurance plan may cover all or part of your drug and alcohol rehab costs. Most health insurance providers cover mental health treatment, which includes addiction treatment. However, how much and what is covered is dependent on your specific plan. For the most part, union health insurance plans tend to have better health care benefits than non-union insurance plans. Union First can help verify your insurance and match you with mental health and substance abuse treatments that are covered by your plan. Anyone can easily fall prey to scam rehab facilities that only use up your insurance benefits, which is another reason to go through Union First and their trusted network of treatment centers.
MAT
Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is used throughout the recovery process. It is a major component of drug and alcohol detox which provides relief from severe withdrawals and cravings. Medical detox programs also use prescription medications like antipsychotics and anti-convulsant drugs to avoid dangerous medical emergencies. Medication assisted treatment is also used during drug rehab and aftercare programs as part of dual diagnosis treatment. Antidepressants and antianxiety medications along with psychotherapy is an effective combination to treat co-occurring disorders which may contribute to a relapse. Other medications used in long-term recovery include FDA approved medications to reduce cravings, ones that stop the effects of certain substances, and ones that cause a person to feel severely ill if they ingest certain substances. Medication assisted treatment can be a useful tool in relapse prevention plans.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Addiction treatment programs are mostly made up of several types of individual therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This form of psychotherapy teaches how to find the connection between thoughts, feelings, and action and create awareness on how these factors have contributed to their substance abuse. CBT can be useful in identifying negative thought patterns that lead to co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which may be the root cause of addiction. Once negative behaviors or thoughts are identified, therapists can teach how to replace them with more positive ones and improve emotional regulation and coping mechanisms without turning to drugs or alcohol.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches interpersonal efficacy, distress acceptance, mindfulness, and emotional regulation. It is useful in treating several types of mental illness in addition to substance use disorder, providing a valuable tool in dual diagnosis treatment. DBT attempts to help individuals identify negative behaviors and aspects of their environment and how to change those in order to make recovery easier. For example, removing unhealthy relationships, paraphernalia, or triggers that may cause a relapse. DBT can also teach how to live in the moment to reduce stressors and live a life they feel good about.
What is Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)?
Another form of cognitive behavioral therapy used in addiction treatment is Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). It is an action-oriented approach focused on helping individuals identify irrational beliefs and learn how to manage behaviors, emotions, and thoughts in a healthier way. Negative emotions and irrational beliefs about themselves can cause people to engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse. The goal of REBT is to replace these negative emotions and irrational beliefs with positive, realistic ones in the hopes of stopping the need of substance abuse at its root. A person can learn how to have more rational thoughts so they can develop better relationships and approaches to events and situations.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Substance abuse and mental health disorders are often present together and are referred to as co-occurring disorders. For drug and alcohol addiction treatment to be effective, all mental health and substance use disorders need to be treated simultaneously through dual diagnosis treatment. Some individuals with mental health disorders like PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression will use substance abuse as a way to self medicate negative emotions, which only worsens mental health disorders. Substance abuse can also bring about mental health disorders. Dual diagnosis treatment aims to treat underlying mental illnesses that may be the root cause of addiction through psychotherapy, medication assisted treatment, and holistic therapies. Union First can help you determine if dual diagnosis may be necessary for you and connect you with rehab centers that specialize in co-occurring disorders so you can achieve long-term sobriety and relief from mental health issues.
EMDR
Those struggling with trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may turn to substance abuse as a way to self-medicate negative memories or feelings related to the event. PTSD is a common co-occurring disorder and needs to be addressed during addiction treatment for long-term recovery to be possible. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of individual therapy that aims to reduce psychological and physical responses associated with traumatic experiences. EMDR trained therapists will guide you through a series of bilateral, or side-to-side, eye movements while you recall traumatic experiences and memories. It is thought to change how the brain stores these memories in order to reduce physical and emotional responses to them.
Relapse Prevention
Part of successful addiction treatment programs are teaching tools and skills necessary to self-manage your substance use disorder in the long run. Union First can connect you with rehab centers in Boston that include relapse prevention planning in their treatment programs. Relapse prevention will help you build a solid plan on how to prevent a relapse through healthy behaviors, individual therapy, 12 step meetings, and more. Part of your relapse prevention plan will also include how to identify the signs of an oncoming relapse and what steps you will need to take in each phase to get back on track. Relapses happen often and are a part of the recovery journey. The important part is getting back on track and Union First will always be there to support your recovery, especially in times of need and can help you find 12 step meetings near you, book telehealth counseling appointments within 24 to 48 hours, or get you back in drug or alcohol rehab to reset.
Life Skills Training
When someone has dealt with long-term addiction that started at a young age, they can often miss out on learning several life-skills that are universal to others, such as cooking, cleaning, and keeping a budget. Union First can help find you rehab centers that include life skills training which is important in living a successful, independent life free of drugs and alcohol. Life skills training can be part of relapse prevention, as it can help you live a healthy, organized life to reduce stressors that may contribute to substance abuse.
Vocational Training
Part of successful continued sobriety after drug and alcohol rehab, is maintaining stable employment. Not only does having a job provide structure, routine, and self-confidence, it will keep you busy and provide financial support to reduce stress which can lead to a relapse. Rehab facilities can include vocational training such as interviewing skills, self-management skills, and resume building skills which can help you get a job upon completing rehab.
Group Therapy
Group counseling and therapy is an integral part of addiction treatment. It involves one or more therapists or psychologists leading a group of peers in a discussion. The session may be focused on one topic or theme which is picked by the group or a therapist. Group therapy allows everyone to share their ups and downs in recovery while providing mutual support and feedback to one another. Other benefits of group therapy include:
- Insight from others who have gone through similar situations
- Brainstorming solutions of issues as a group
- Reduces loneliness while in recovery while providing support
- Meet others in recovery and make lasting, supportive friendships
- Gain new perspectives on an issue and other ways to tackle a problem
- Provides the opportunity to learn and practice social skills without drugs or alcohol
Experiential Therapy
Not every person responds to traditional talk therapy. Experiential therapy aims to provide therapy through fun and interactive activities in order to find other ways to explore and express emotions. These activities can include creating art, playing music, interacting with animals, and other recreational activities. Individuals can find better ways that correspond to them to explore and deal with difficult and painful memories. Many have found they can access, express, and heal their emotions and experiences more easily through experiential therapy than traditional talk therapy.
One-On-One Therapy
One-on-one therapy, also known as individual therapy, is an integral part of addiction treatment and you may find that the majority of your treatment program is surrounded around individual therapy. One-on-one therapy involves sitting with a therapist in a safe environment to discuss several issues in your life and experiences, especially those surrounding drug or alcohol addiction. You can work through the most intense parts of your life and addiction with your therapist. Counselors will also use several types of behavioral therapy to help you identify triggers and stressors and give you the right tools and skills to manage them in a healthier manner. Individual therapy also aims to find and treat the root cause of your addiction.
Family Therapy
Family counseling or therapy can be highly beneficial for everyone involved. Family dynamics often are partly the cause of substance abuse issues and need to be healed in order to achieve long-term recovery. Loved ones can also learn how to better support your recovery and break enabling and codependent relationships. Family counseling and therapy is beneficial for addiction treatment in that it helps:
- Talk about intense feelings of guilt or shame and past painful situations
- Improve communication skills
- Mend relationships
- Address trust issues among family members
- Break negative behaviors
- Discuss issues around stress or grief
- Express feelings more freely
Trauma Informed Therapy (After PTSD)
Trauma is quite common in addiction treatment and may often be the underlying cause of a person’s substance abuse issues. Union First can match you with recovery centers that take extra caution in how they interact and treat patients through trauma informed therapy. Therapists and clinicians in these specialty recovery centers are trained to be aware how addiction treatment may trigger traumatic experiences, including issues with authority figures, medical care, and other PTSD issues.
Physical Fitness
Exercise and physical fitness can be an essential part of addiction treatment and relapse prevention planning. Having a regular exercise routine can keep your body and mind healthy by reducing stress, increasing self-confidence, and improving mental health. It can build body-mind awareness, add structure to your life, and keep you busy and away from thinking about drugs or alcohol. Rehab centers will incorporate exercise into their treatment programs as a way to help your body get stronger and help the mind regulate neurotransmitters again more quickly, which can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Off Site Activities
Part of addiction treatment is to help you to enjoy life without the use of drugs or alcohol. By including offsite activities during drug rehab, you can get time out of the treatment facility to try new things, see new sights, and start to incorporate skills and tools learned in treatment. Off site activities are also ways you can decompress and relax after long days in addiction treatment.
12 Step Rehab in Boston
Union First can help connect you with 12 step meetings in Boston such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Many people have found and maintained their sobriety through 12 step groups. We also work with many drug and alcohol treatment centers that incorporate many 12 step principles and encourage these meetings as part of your relapse prevention plan.
Union First Helps Our Clients Keep Their Job While Undergoing Behavioral Health Treatment
Many union members are not aware of their rights afforded to them under several federal and state laws which allow them to take time off for addiction treatment without consequence to their job. Our experts at Union First know how to use these laws to protect your job, benefits, salary, and more while you take time off while at drug or alcohol rehab. Part of our services include protecting your job and guiding you through the proper steps to take. We will also submit a “placement in treatment” letter to your employer once we have placed you in a recovery program which is a key part of protecting your job.
Why Choose Union First
Instead of spending hours searching online for a drug or alcohol rehab center and risking ending up in a scam rehab center, you can go through Union First. Our services will match your individual needs and insurance plan with the right, trusted treatment facility in Boston, Massachusetts. We work with several addiction treatment centers and all levels of care including medical detox, inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment. Part of our services also includes telehealth services which can get you online counseling within our private network of over 40 providers and schedule your appointment within 24 to 48 hours.
Recovery Friendly Things to Do in Boston
Boston Common Park
It is regarded as the oldest public park in the country and you’ll find a variety of activities and events such as musical and theater performances. It is also a great spot to get together with friends for a picnic or leisurely stroll.
115 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
Charles River Canoe and Kayak: Cambridge, Kendall Square
During the warmer months, you can get on the river that runs through Boston by renting a canoe, kayak, or paddle board. Getting out on the Charles River is a great way to get exercise, some sun, and enjoy the sites of the city.
15 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, MA 02142
Museum of Fine Arts
Strolling around the Museum of Fine Arts can offer some art therapy and also exercise. It holds an impressive collection of art from around the world including works from Manet, Renoir, Rembrandt, and Monet.
465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park Ferry Center
You can hop a ferry that will take you to a collection of 34 islands in the Massachusetts Bay which offers several things to do including beaches, hiking trails, wildlife, and historic sites.
Long Wharf (North), Boston, MA 02110
Fenway Park
Catch a Boston Red Sox game or take a guided tour of the facility, there is plenty to see at Fenway Park besides a baseball park including its original architecture and historic features.
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Catch one of Boston Symphony Orchestra’s world-renowned performances at Symphony Hall. Music can be greatly therapeutic and live performances can be part of a way to get a boost of serotonin.
