Portland, Maine Addiction Treatment Options | Detox, Rehab Programs, FAQ

Portland has taken a proactive approach to address the issue of safe needle disposal. In addition to the certified Needle Exchange Program offered by the city at 103 India Street, there are sharps containers available as well. 

Distributed throughout Portland are 20 containers that residents can access as a safe way to dispose of needles. 

If you or a loved one need substance abuse treatment, there are rehab centers available in Portland, across Maine, and throughout New England.

How To Find & Choose Addiction Treatment In Portland, Maine

Portland recognizes that the city’s residents need to have access to resources that address alcohol and drug abuse. 

The city offers several options for information, support, and help regarding substance abuse, and addiction treatment, including: 

• Substance Use Prevention: The Substance Use Prevention program engages a range of strategies that empower residents to makes the choices that will help them be productive and healthy while reducing drug use hazards. 
• Overdose Prevention Project: Formed in January 2003, the Overdose Prevention Project approaches accidental drug overdose as being a public health issue. Support, advocacy, outreach, and education are provided to promote and protect the health of Portland residents.  
• Law Enforcement Addiction Advocacy Program (LEAAP): In January 2016, the Portland Police Department started the Law Enforcement Addiction Advocacy Program (LEAAP) focuses on three key outreach components: community awareness, education, and treatment facilitation.

The city of Portland also has a Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Services Program Coordinator. Contacting this individual is possible by reaching out to the Portland Public Health Division. 

Contacting a treatment center is another way to obtain the help, support, and resources that are needed to recover from substance use disorder. 

When doing so, keep the following considerations in mind: 

• individualized treatment plans: A treatment plan that is tailored to the individual’s specific needs is a key component for recovery.  
• evidence-based services: Any treatment services offered by a rehab facility should be based on the plethora of science-backed evidence that is available today. 
• family involvement: Addiction can wreak havoc on family members, but those who are struggling need their support more than ever. Compassionate treatment services find ways to address the hardships families face. 
• co-occurring mental health disorders (dual diagnosis): In many cases, co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders go hand-in-hand with addiction. Treatment facilities that offer access to comprehensive dual diagnosis services are ideal. 
• continuum of care: Drug treatment must encompass a continuum of care that addresses the individual’s needs throughout their recovery. 

Drug & Alcohol Treatment Programs In Portland, Maine

Drug and alcohol treatment programs span a range of different services within each recovery center. 

The sequence of recommended treatment services differs with each person but will likely include one or more of the following: 

Medical Drug & Alcohol Detox

The detoxification or withdrawal process can be life-threatening in some cases, depending on certain factors. Even in the best scenario, detoxification is a painful process that can lead to relapse. 

Medical detox programs can ease the discomfort of withdrawal, offer medical advice or assistance, and prepare you for rehab at an addiction treatment center. These are short-term programs that tend to last between three and seven days.

Inpatient/Residential Treatment

Inpatient or residential drug rehab is the most intensive type of treatment for substance use disorder. Entering this type of facility could mean that an individual is living at the facility for a little as 30 days to as long as a year or more. Highly-structured, this type of care provides access to staff 24/7. 

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient addiction treatment spans a diverse range of options that are designed to be more flexible to meet each individual’s needs while they live at home. 

Partial hospitalization is the most structured while a regular outpatient program may provide little more than education and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers a middle ground between the two options. 

Opioid & Alcohol Treatment Programs

FDA-approved medications are a primary component in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is a specialized treatment option for opioid and alcohol addiction. 

In a MAT program, medications are combined with counseling, behavioral therapy, and other recovery services, depending on the drug and alcohol rehab center.  

Aftercare Support

Today’s quality treatment centers understand that aftercare support is a vital component of recovery. In some instances, treatment centers might sponsor 12-step meetings or maintain a list of similar offerings nearby. 

Some facilities offer alumni meetings on a regular basis so those who have gone through treatment together can continue to connect with each other. Others provide sober-living housing and wellness classes/activities.

Using Healthcare Insurance For Addiction Treatment In Portland, Maine

Many healthcare plans include coverage for the treatment of substance use disorder, including Medicaid and Medicare plans. The exact specifications of each plan can differ widely, however. 

For this reason, if you have private health insurance, take these steps to broaden your understanding of your coverage options: 

• contact your human resources department if your health insurance is through an employer
• call the number on the back of your insurance card
• contact an addiction treatment center directly
• be sure you understand copays, deductibles, in-network providers, and prior authorizations 

MaineCare offers income-based health insurance. This program provides coverage for many types of treatment services, including those for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. 

Portland, Maine Substance Abuse Facts

Just like other major cities across the United States, Portland is struggling with substance use disorder and other addiction-related problems. 

The following statistics demonstrate the problem but fail to express the devastation that substance abuse causes its residents: 

• during a 70-day-long period of time between May and July 2020, there were 86 drug overdoses in Portland
• of these, seven resulted in death, leaving behind heartbroken friends and family members 
• during those same 70 days, Portland collected over 1,000 needles that were left on public property—both inside sharps containers and elsewhere 
• there are 13 Community Drug Drop Boxes where citizens can dispose of expired or unused medications located throughout Portland
• compared to overdose rates in 2018, Portland saw a jump of 25 percent in 2019

Addiction Treatment At Ark Behavioral Health

At Ark Behavioral Health, 24/7 assistance to life-saving substance abuse treatment is just a phone call away. 

Our four rehab facilities are located in Massachusetts and are between two to three hours from Portland.

Learn more about how Ark Behavioral Health can help you or your loved one by contacting our helpline today. 

Portland Addiction Treatment FAQ

How Do I Access Treatment In Portland?

A good place to start when you’re trying to access treatment in Portland is the city’s Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Services Program Coordinator. You can contact this individual by calling or visiting the Portland Public Health Division. 

What Does Addiction Treatment Look Like In Portland?

Addiction treatment in Portland looks different for each person who reaches out for support. The ideal type of treatment will be specifically tailored to your individual needs. 

While some components might be similar, there is no one cookie-cutter approach or method that is applied to every patient.

Does Healthcare Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment In Portland?

In many cases, insurance will cover at least a portion of addiction treatment in Portland. However, it’s important that you contact your health insurance company, a healthcare provider, or your employer so you understand the details of your coverage prior to getting treatment. 

Can I Go To A Drug Rehab Center In Portland Without Insurance?

In most cases, you can go to a rehabilitation center in Portland even if you don’t have insurance. You might qualify for a sliding-fee scale of payment or you could have to pay the entire cost out-of-pocket.

If you have not already been screened for your eligibility for MaineCare, which is state-funded insurance for those with limited incomes, you might be offered this service during your assessment. 

Are There Walk-In Opioid Clinics In Portland?

Southern Maine Health Care offers integrated medication-assisted treatment (IMAT) at various locations throughout Maine, including in South Portland. 

Are There Free Or State-Funded Rehab Centers In Portland?

The India Street Health Clinic offers free access to clean needles as well as medication that could potentially reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if it is administered quickly enough. 

Why Do I Need Addiction Treatment?

Substance use disorder typically involves both a physical and emotional addiction to a particular substance. Without the proper treatment, it’s likely that your health, relationships, and employment will suffer. 

It’s also possible that you could lose your life as a result of an overdose. Getting into an addiction treatment program is the first step in getting your life back. 

What Kind Of Treatment Is Best?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Because everyone is different and needs different approaches to addiction treatment, the best facilities provide a treatment plan that is tailored to each person. 

How Long Does Drug Rehab Last?

The length of drug rehab varies widely depending on the services offered by the treatment center. Many recovery programs last around 30 days, but experts recommended all treatment services, including detox and aftercare, should last for at least 90 days. 

Where Are Your Treatment Centers Located?

Ark Behavioral Health operates four treatment centers nearby in Massachusetts. We’re located in Quincy, Ashby, Falmouth, and Canton.