Detox Centers in Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Pawtucket is the fourth-largest city in Rhode Island in terms of population, and the city deals with many substance use problems, including opioid addiction and overdose.

The number of drug overdose deaths in Pawtucket has been relatively high every year since 2013.¹ In 2018, a total of 22 residents in Pawtucket died from a drug overdose, which represented more than 11% of the total number of overdose deaths that occurred in Providence County that same year.¹ Pawtucket also saw 138 opioid overdose emergency department (ED) visits in 2018, which was more than 13% of the total number of ED visits that occurred in the county.¹

In 2021, the number of overdose fatalities affecting Pawtucket residents rose significantly to 38.² This put the rate of overdose fatalities in Pawtucket at 50.3 per 100,000 residents that year.² There were also 127 opioid overdose-related emergency medical service (EMS) runs in the city.² According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the total number of EMS runs in Pawtucket related to drug overdoses in 2021 was 185, which accounted for 12% of the total number of EMS runs that occurred statewide.³

To combat its opioid-related health crisis, Pawtucket fire stations now have Safe Stations programs that provide people with a safe space in which to get help for their addictions.³ Pawtucket residents who visit these Safe Stations can access harm reduction resources, harm reduction kits, and referrals to addiction treatment and recovery programs.³

Pawtucket is home to 4 drug and alcohol rehab centers and is located within 5 miles of 12 other rehab facilities, located primarily in Providence and Central Falls.⁴ The number of rehab facilities in and near Pawtucket represents more than 30% of the total number of rehab facilities in Rhode Island.⁴

Six of the rehab facilities in and near Pawtucket offer detoxification services for those who need help recovering from drug and alcohol dependence.⁴ Residential rehab programs are offered at 6 facilities, hospital inpatient rehab at 3 facilities, and outpatient rehab programs at 10 facilities.⁴

Dual diagnosis therapy is available at 14 addiction recovery centers near Pawtucket for residents who need treatment for co-occurring mental illnesses.⁴ Other therapies offered in drug and alcohol rehab programs near the city include cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, motivational interviewing, and trauma-related counseling.⁴

Residents in Pawtucket with opioid use disorder also have access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction using methadone, which is offered at 6 nearby rehab facilities.⁴ MAT using buprenorphine is available at 9 nearby facilities, and MAT using naltrexone is available at 9 facilities for Pawtucket residents who need treatment for alcohol addiction and/or opioid addiction.⁴

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are 2 of many support groups that are based on social interaction among peers who help one another stay abstinent from drugs and alcohol.⁵ Results from numerous studies show that AA and NA may be more effective than talk therapy at helping people achieve recovery from substance use disorders, including those related to alcohol, heroin, and cocaine.⁵

There are 17 AA meetings in Pawtucket.⁶ Meetings are available 7 days a week in the mornings and evenings.⁶ Many of these meetings take place at Slater Park at 401 Newport Avenue and at St. Luke’s Church at 670 Weeden Street.⁶ More information about these meetings and about other AA meetings near Pawtucket are available on the official website for Rhode Island Alcoholics Anonymous.⁶

There are 16 NA meetings in and near Pawtucket, including in Providence.⁷ Many of these groups meet virtually as well as in person.⁷ The only in-person NA meeting in Pawtucket takes place on Tuesday evenings at First Baptist Church at 91 Cottage Street.⁷ An updated schedule of all NA meetings near Pawtucket is posted on the official NA website.⁷

Sources:

1. Rhode Island Department of Health. (2020, December 3). RI municipality overdose data report – Pawtucket.
2. Rhode Island Department of Health. (n.d.). RIDOH’s drug overdose surveillance data hub.
3. Shorey, E. (2022, March 9). Opioid deaths continue to climb as city takes steps in response.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Find treatment.
5. Erickson, M. (2020, March 11). Alcoholics Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence.
6. Rhode Island Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). AA meetings in Pawtucket.
7. Narcotics Anonymous. (n.d.). NA meeting search.