Addiction Recovery Resources in Boston and Massachusetts

Credit: Boston Public Health Commission

Access, Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention and Education (AHOPE) is a harm reduction and needle exchange site. They provide a wide variety of services for active injection drug users in the Boston metropolitan area, including:

• Integrated HIV/ Hepatitis/ and STI testing
• Free, legal, and anonymous needle exchange
• Supported referrals to HIV, Hepatitis, STI treatment, and medical
• Overdose prevention education and training
• Risk reduction supplies to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C infection
• Risk reduction counseling
• Supported referrals to all modalities of substance abuse treatment

For more detailed information, read the AHOPE Program Participant Guide. In addition to their walk-in center at 774 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, AHOPE has a mobile van. For the van schedule and more information, call (617) 534-3976.

AHOPE WALK-IN HOURS AT 774 ALBANY ST.

Credit: Jessie Costa, WBUR

Implemented by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), the Supportive Place for Observation and Treatment (SPOT) was created to combat opioid overdoses. SPOT provides medical monitoring and support for people who are over-sedated from the use of substances, giving them a place to go when they would otherwise be outside on a street corner or alone in a public bathroom and at high risk of overdose. The program is staffed by addiction nurses, harm reduction specialists, and peers who are in recovery themselves, providing a judgment-free safe space. The immediate goal is to reduce the harm associated with substance use among the homeless, but its overarching goal is to help individuals access treatment for substance use disorders. Treatment can include medication-assisted therapy, counseling, or detoxification and is followed by inpatient or outpatient support.

SPOT is a drop-in facility that accommodates eight to ten people at a time. In addition to providing reclining chairs and medical equipment for individuals under the influence of sedating drugs, SPOT serves as a gateway to treatment and other recovery services. A registered nurse is also available to provide medical care in case of overdose. It is not a supervised injection facility or a needle exchange program; people are not allowed to inject substances inside the building, although they may deposit needles at the Boston Public Health Commission, which is next door to the facility. You may visit them at 780 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118 or call them at (857) 654-1000.

For more information, read "Providing A Safe Space And Medical Monitoring To Prevent Overdose Deaths."

SPOT WALK-IN HOURS AT 780 ALBANY ST.

Credit: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator has been developed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIAAA is the lead U.S. research agency studying the causes, outcomes, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems. 

While the search can feel overwhelming, the Navigator helps adults find alcohol treatment for themselves or an adult loved one. Sections such as What to Know About Alcohol Treatment and How to Find Alcohol Treatment allow users to search through a variety of options that cover types of available alcohol treatment, costs and insurance, health provider comparisons, and tips for locating quality treatment.

Not sure what to expect throughout this process? The Navigator also provides tips and resources through its Support Through the Process page. 

Needle Drop-Off Sites

Needle Exchange

Mail-Back Services

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