Detox Centers in Prudence Island, Rhode Island

Prudence Island is in the town of Portsmouth in Newport County. Though it spans a land area of under 6 square miles, this small island is home to people who struggle with substance misuse and addiction, just like anywhere else.

Each year between 2009 and 2016, there were fewer than 5 accidental drug overdose deaths in Portsmouth.¹ The number of drug-related deaths in Portsmouth increased to 6 during 2016, decreased to 5 in 2017, and then to fewer than 5 in 2018.¹ In 2021, the number of drug overdose fatalities in Portsmouth remained below 5.²

In March 2022, Portsmouth and Prudence Island were part of a region in which there were 6 opioid overdose cases that resulted in visits to hospital emergency department (ED) rooms over the 4-week period.³ This increase in non-fatal opioid overdoses led the Rhode Island Department of Health to issue a warning to residents in Prudence Island about the rise in overdose cases.³

People in Prudence Island who feel they might suffer from addiction or be at risk for a drug overdose have access to several nearby addiction treatment facilities that can help.

There are 14 addiction treatment facilities within 10 miles of Prudence Island.⁴ This equates to nearly 27% of the total number of drug and alcohol rehab facilities located in the state of Rhode Island.

Detoxification services are available at 4 of these facilities for Prudence Island residents who need help withdrawing from drugs and alcohol.⁴ Five of the facilities offer residential live-in care for addiction, and 9 offer outpatient rehab programs.⁴ Three of these facilities even offer transitional housing, or sober living homes, for people in recovery who are receiving outpatient treatment.⁴

People in Prudence Island who are interested in receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction using methadone can choose from 4 nearby facilities that offer this treatment.⁴ Those who are more interested in receiving MAT using buprenorphine can choose among 7 facilities that offer it.⁴ MAT using naloxone is offered at 8 facilities for those who need help recovering from alcohol and/or opioid use disorders.⁴

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are drug and alcohol support groups for people who have expressed a desire to stop using these substances and achieve abstinence.⁵ Groups like AA and NA are shown to complement forms of professional addiction treatment and are widely available near Prudence Island.⁵

There are 17 AA meetings near Prudence Island.⁶ These meetings are available 7 days a week in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.⁶ Many of the AA groups near Prudence Island meet at Teddy’s Beach Island Park at 710 Park Avenue and at St. Barnabas Church and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on East Main Road.⁶ Online meetings are also available for Prudence Island residents who wish to attend support groups without leaving home.⁶

An updated schedule of all AA meetings near the island is posted on the official website for Rhode Island Alcoholics Anonymous.⁶

There are 31 NA meetings within 10 miles of Prudence Island.⁷ The majority of these meetings take place in Middletown and Fall River, though there are a few in Warwick.⁷ A complete, updated list of all NA meetings near Prudence Island is available on the official NA website.⁷

Sources:

1. Rhode Island Department of Health. (2020, December 3). RI municipality overdose data report – Portsmouth.
2. Rhode Island Department of Health. (n.d.). RIDOH’s drug overdose surveillance data hub.
3. DaSilva, M. (2022, March 31). Opioid overdose alert issued for 9 RI communities.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Find treatment.
5. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, March 11). Recovery-oriented mutual self-help groups.
6. Rhode Island Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). AA meetings in Portsmouth.
7. Narcotics Anonymous. (n.d.). NA meeting search.