FAQ

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Philosophy
  • Who is eligible for treatment?

    The program provides services to men and women 18 years of age and older who are:

    • struggling with alcohol or substance use, mental illness, and other chronic medical conditions
    • without secure and stable housing
    • living with HIV/AIDS
    • re-entering from incarceration
    • court involved individuals and families

    Any individual who has successfully completed treatment may be readmitted at any time if clinically indicated to resume services.

  • Are your locations accessible by public transportation?

    Casa Esperanza can be reached by the MBTA Transit system. MBTA Transit provides Subway, Boat, Buss and Commuter Rail services throughout the greater Boston, Massachusetts area. MBTA operates 7 days a week over 150 routes, transfers from the subway are free if using a CharlieCard (for local buses); transfers to the subway require paying the difference between bus and the higher subway fare (for local buses; if not using a CharlieCard, full subway fare must be paid in addition to full bus fare).

    Casa Esperanza is within walking distance of the Orange and Silver Lines, Dudley Station and other bus lines.

  • How do I get into treatment?

    Treatment services are available for immediate or direct admission. Our Familis Unidas Outpatient Services has walk-in hours for all individuals seeking treatment from 9-12 Monday through Friday. Individuals are seen on a first come first serve basis during these hours.

  • How do I pay for my treatment?

    At Casa Esperanza, money shouldn’t be a barrier to your treatment.

    For Outpatient Services, Casa Esperanza accepts Masshealth and other Medicaid MCO’s including:

    • BMC Health Net
    • CeltiCare Health Plan
    • Commonwealth Care Alliance
    • Fallon Health Plan
    • Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership
    • Neighborhood Health Plan
    • Network Health Plan

    For Residential Treatment, clients with a source of income greater than $300/month are required to pay a Client Fee of 30% of their net pay. Clients admitted to Casa Esperanza who are homeless with an income of less than $300/month do not pay a client fee.

    Health Benefits Counselors can help you obtain insurance coverage. No one will be denied access to care because of inability of pay.

  • What is Outpatient Medication Assisted Treatment?

    Individuals who want to stop their drug use can find it very difficult. Their need to satisfy cravings or avoid withdrawal can be so intense that they feel desperate and overwhelmed. At the right dose, and with psychosocial intervention (e.g., counseling) medication assisted treatment can suppress withdrawal symptoms and suppress cravings to help individuals continue treatment and avoid illicit opioid use. Casa Esperanza currently offers two forms of medication assisted treatment: (1) Vivitrol and (2) Suboxone. Both of these longer acting opiate medications work by stabilizing the brain chemistry, preventing withdrawal, and reducing craving. When properly prescribed and taken, people do not experience a high from these medications. For people with severe opioid dependence, these medications may be prescribed for a period of years to help stabilize and support the person making changes in other life areas.

  • What is the scope of practice of Primary Care Services?

    Primary care medicine is medical care provided by the doctor who sees you regularly for wellness check-ups as well as minor medical problems, such as colds and flu. Primary care doctors also help you manage chronic conditions like HIV, HCV, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma. Primary care doctors deal with the diagnosis and treatment (usually non-surgical) of common illnesses and medical conditions. Our staff will interview you about any current symptoms you may be experiencing, ask you about your medical history, and follow -up with a physical examination. Through our partnership with Boston HealthCare for the Homeless you will have access to medical providers who can provide basic medical screenings, wellness check-ups, HIV/STI/Hep screening and testing, and referrals to specialists for more complex diagnostic procedures.

  • How long does treatment usually last?

    Individuals progress through treatment at various rates, so there is no predetermined length of treatment. However, research has shown unequivocally that good outcomes are contingent on adequate treatment length and all of our programs are tailored to the unique needs of each individual and family. Our residential treatment program averages 4-6 months for single individuals and 6-12 months for women reunifying with children.

  • Where can family members go for information on treatment options?

    Trying to locate appropriate treatment for a loved one, especially finding a program tailored to an individual’s particular needs, can be a difficult process. However, there are some resources to help with this process. For example, NIDA’s handbook Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask offers guidance in finding the right treatment program. Numerous online resources can help locate a local program or provide other information, including:

    • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains a website that shows the location of residential, outpatient, and hospital inpatient treatment programs for drug addiction and alcoholism throughout the country. This information is also accessible by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
    • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) offers more than just suicide prevention—it can also help with a host of issues, including drug and alcohol abuse, and can connect individuals with a nearby professional.
    • The National Alliance on Mental Illness is an alliance of nonprofit, self-help support organizations for patients and families dealing with a variety of mental disorders. Both have State and local affiliates throughout the country and may be especially helpful for patients with comorbid conditions.
    • • The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry each have physician locator tools posted on their websites at aaap.org and andaacap.org, respectively.
    • Faces & Voices of Recovery, founded in 2001, is an advocacy organization for individuals in long-term recovery that strategizes on ways to reach out to the medical, public health, criminal justice, and other communities to promote and celebrate recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
    • The Partnership at Drugfree.org is an organization that provides information and resources on teen drug use and addiction for parents, to help them prevent and intervene in their children’s drug use or find treatment for a child who needs it. They offer a toll-free helpline for parents (1-855-378-4373).
    • The American Society of Addiction Medicine is a society of physicians aimed at increasing access to addiction treatment. Their Website has a nationwide directory of addiction medicine professionals.
    • NIDA’s National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network provides information for those interested in participating in a clinical trial testing a promising substance abuse intervention; or visit clinicaltrials.gov.
    • NIDA’s DrugPubs Research Dissemination Center provides booklets, pamphlets, fact sheets, and other informational resources on drugs, drug abuse, and treatment.
    • The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides information on alcohol, alcohol use, and treatment of alcohol-related problems.