Disruption of access to medication providers

What is happening?

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services has received communication that several service providers across Massachusetts are no longer able to provide behavioral health and substance use treatment medications for a variety of reasons. Please refer to available resources provided on the resources page below to ensure continuity of your care.

Where can I go for behavioral health services including mental health medication access?

Please contact the Behavioral Health Helpline (BHHL) at 833-773-2445, Massachusetts’s 24/7 statewide crisis, support, information, and referral line. This line will be able to connect you to a provider who will be able to provide an assessment and refer you to a care provider and mental health medications if appropriate, for instance at a Community Behavioral Healthcare Center (CBHC). You can also directly contact a Community Behavioral Health Center directly and find their contact information on the regional resource pages below and at mass.goc/cbhc.

Where can I go for substance use disorder treatment services?

See the list of resources below for prescribers in your region at a variety of locations or use the search function on this website. All locations listed offer medication for opioid use disorder. OBATs and CBHCs also provide treatment and medication for other substance use disorders. If you need a new prescription and bridge to long term care, you can call Boston Medical Center Addiction Warmline 24 hours, 7 days a week at 617-414-4175. Community Behavioral Healthcare Centers (listed on the Resource Pages below) can also provide short term prescription and referral to long term care. You can also search for providers at helplinema.org.

Where can I go if I’m having a crisis?

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911.

If you are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, you should call the Behavioral Health Helpline (BHHL) at 833-773-2445. It is for ALL Massachusetts residents and is meant to connect individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Call for real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right evaluation and treatment.

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. You can call or text 988 and chat online at 988lifeline.org.

What should I expect when I call the Addiction Warmline?

If you need a new prescription and bridge to long term care, you can call Boston Medical Center Addiction Warmline -24 hours, 7 days a week at 617-414-4175. This is available to anyone located in Massachusetts.

When you call if you do not reach a person directly, you should leave a message on the voicemail and will receive a call back. The line is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You should receive a call back within 1 hour.

When you receive a call back, your information and medical needs will be assessed and then a plan will be made for your medication and follow up care.

Where can I get Narcan (naloxone)?

If you or someone you know is worried about overdosing, anyone can get naloxone (Narcan) from a pharmacy or from a local organization that has a naloxone distribution program, such as a local opioid education and naloxone distribution coalition or a syringe services program. You can find these sites here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/naloxone-distribution-program-locator.