Detox Centers in Charlestown, Rhode Island

Charlestown is a small town located in the southwestern part of Washington County, where people struggle with substance misuse and addiction like in every other part of Rhode Island. Opioid misuse and overdoses are of especially high concern in Charlestown, where drug use has caused many unintentional overdose deaths.

Every year between 2015 and 2018, fewer than 5 residents in Charlestown died from a drug overdose.¹ However, in 2018, the overdose death count in Charlestown jumped to 6.¹ That same year, 23 residents in Washington County died from a drug overdose.¹

In 2021, the number of drug overdose deaths in Charlestown dropped to fewer than 5, though there were 8 cases of drug overdoses that required a visit from emergency medical services.² From March 27 to April 2 in 2022, Charlestown was 1 of several towns in Rhode Island that was considered to be over the pre-established opioid overdose threshold as defined by the Rhode Island Department of Health.³ Charlestown belongs to a region in which the weekly opioid overdose threshold is 4  emergency department reports.³

Four drug and alcohol rehab centers are located within 10 miles of Charlestown in the towns of Wakefield, Narragansett, and Westerly.⁴ The number of addiction treatment centers near Charlestown represents nearly 8% of the total number of treatment centers in Rhode Island.

Two of these rehab centers offer drug and alcohol detox.⁴ One facility offers residential treatment, and all 4 facilities offer outpatient rehab programs and dual diagnosis therapy for those with co-occurring mental health disorders.⁴ Medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction using methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone is available at 2 facilities.⁴

People in Charlestown with opioid use disorder also have the option of receiving treatment from a practitioner who is licensed to prescribe buprenorphine in an outpatient setting. There are 16 buprenorphine practitioners within 10 miles of Charlestown.⁵

Drug and alcohol support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can provide people in Charlestown with substance use disorders an added layer of support as they work toward achieving long-term sobriety. AA and NA are shown to be just as effective as psychotherapy at helping people recover from addiction and giving members the opportunity to give one another emotional support that may help them stop misusing substances.⁶

AA groups in Charlestown meet at 3 locations: 22 Whipple Drive, 15 East Beach Road, and 557 Charlestown Beach Road.⁷ These meetings take place on most days of the week in the mornings and evenings. An updated schedule of AA meetings in Charlestown is posted on the official website for Rhode Island Alcoholics Anonymous.⁷

Three NA groups meet within 20 miles of Charlestown in the towns of Westerly, Mystic, and Groton.⁸ These meetings take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in the evening.⁸ People in Charlestown who want to explore their options for all nearby NA meetings can find an updated schedule on the official NA website.⁸

Sources:

1. Rhode Island Department of Health. (2020, December 3). RI municipality overdose data report – Charlestown.
2. Rhode Island Department of Health. (n.d.). RIDOH’s drug overdose surveillance data hub.
3. Rhode Island Department of Health. (2022, April 6). Rhode Island Overdose Action Area Response (ROAAR).
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Find treatment.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Find a facility.
6. Erickson, M. (2020, March 11). Alcoholics Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence.
7. Rhode Island Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). AA meetings in Charlestown.
8. Narcotics Anonymous. (n.d.). NA meeting search.