A Day in the Life at The New England Recovery Center

What to Expect During Detoxification

The New England Recovery Center (NERC), a subsidiary of New England’s leading addiction treatment provider, Spectrum Health Systems, provides medically monitored detoxification programs and inpatient substance use treatment in beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities, specifically designed for towards individuals with private insurance.

Located on our treatment campus in Westborough, MA, NERC helps individuals overcome addiction and reclaim their lives, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain long-term recovery. Recognizing that each person’s strengths, challenges, preferences, and recovery journey are unique, our highly trained clinicians work closely with each client to provide personalized addiction treatment tailored to individual needs.

At NERC, we also understand that the decision to pursue treatment for an active addiction can be daunting. To help alleviate any anxiety you may be experiencing, this article will walk you through what to expect at NERC’s detox program.

The First Step: Detoxification Programming at NERC

For many, detoxification is the critical first step toward long-term substance use recovery. At NERC, we offer clients in acute withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs the opportunity to complete onsite detoxification prior to entering our inpatient addiction treatment program.

Medical detox is a supervised withdrawal process from addictive substances, under the monitored care of a licensed physician. Prolonged use of drugs and alcohol can cause physical dependence over time. When you stop using these substances, the result can be withdrawal symptoms which can often be unpleasant. A supervised medically monitored detoxification program is implemented to address these immediate physical effects and to flush any toxins left behind in the body as a byproduct of the chemical compounds that are found in alcohol and other drugs.

NERC’s detox center, located on the grounds of Spectrum’s Westborough Treatment Campus, is warm and inviting. Our structured program offers clients experiencing acute withdrawal the opportunity to complete onsite alcohol and drug detoxification prior to beginning the inpatient rehabilitation program, located just up the hill at the Charles J. Faris Recovery Center. During detoxification, the interdisciplinary team works with each client to prepare them for the next step in their recovery journey.

Under the supervision of Spectrum’s Chief Medical Officer, NERC offers 24-hour nursing and individualized detoxification protocols to ensure safe withdrawal and minimize client discomfort. NERC is known for accommodating complex cases, including high doses of opiates and benzodiazepines.

Detox typically lasts 5-7 days, during which time you’ll follow a set schedule designed to keep you busy, moving and engaged.

Your Admission and Arrival for Treatment

Before you walk through the doors of NERC, you will have already received a call from one of our admission counselors who will orient you to the process that lies ahead. Based on your initial phone call, the team will determine what level of care you need and begin preparing for your admission.

Our goal on day one is to help you acclimate to the program and become as comfortable as possible.   When you arrive at NERC, you will be greeted by the receptionist who will bring you to the family waiting room. The receptionist will offer a safe place in which to store your belongings.

At this time, you will meet with an admissions liaison and nurse who will complete our required paperwork, conduct an initial assessment including a preliminary drug screening test, review the program’s rules and expectations, provide a tour of the treatment facility, including your assigned bedroom and introduce you to your roommate and other program staff. Our knowledgeable and caring staff will help guide you throughout the admission process and answer any question.

Comfortable Accommodations for Recovery

At NERC, we want clients to feel as comfortable as possible while they embark on this important first step in the recovery process. You’ll see we have designed our rooms to be welcoming, clean, and modern.  We encourage you to make yourself at home.

Many people wonder if they will have roommates during detox and the answer – most of the time – is yes. We have found time and time again that the roommate system provides additional support for our clients. Of course, any issues or special requests will be accommodated to the best of our ability.

Clinical Care During Detoxification Treatment

Once admitted, you’ll immediately be assigned a case manager or clinician who will be with you every step of the way. You’ll also have access to a continuing care specialist who is focused on your path beyond detox, and a family engagement specialist who will work closely with your loved ones throughout the treatment process.

The goal of our comprehensive detox program is to prepare you for continued treatment so that you begin to feel better, stronger and able to focus on the next step in your road to recovery. Just remember that you are the driver. What you put into recovery, you will get out of it.

A Structured Daily Schedule

During detoxification, all clients follow a structured daily schedule including individual and group sessions geared toward education and recovery skill building, continuing care planning, mindfulness, anxiety management, and relapse prevention. There is also free time when you’ll be able to play a lawn game, get some fresh air, read a book, or take part in one of several recreational activities offered each day.

What to Expect During Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Following detoxification, most clients transition to our inpatient substance use treatment program at the Charles J. Faris Recovery Center, located just up the hill on our Westborough campus. Pursuing treatment for an addiction is a brave decision, and there are a number of complexities that go into choosing the right option. To help address common questions and concerns, we’re sharing what you can expect here with us.

Residential treatment clients typically stay with us for two to four weeks. The length of stay is determined by a number of factors including medical and clinical needs, insurance coverage and selected programming during a stay.

Beginning Inpatient Recovery

Whether you are arriving from our in-house detox program or not, a member of the NERC admissions team will begin by assessing your individual needs. On day one, we take a look at your current situation and develop an individualized treatment plan addressing your current and most pressing issues.

Residential treatment clients typically stay with us for two to four weeks. The length of stay is determined by a number of factors, including medical and clinical needs, insurance coverage and selected programming during a stay.

A nursing or clinical assessment will be performed upon arrival and your valuables (including money, cell phones, and jewelry) will be sent home with loved ones or stored in our complimentary safe. You’ll be shown to your room, encouraged to meet the staff and your peers, and make yourself at home.

Amenities Designed for Recovery

Embarking on a journey toward sobriety is tough, and we have worked hard to create an environment conducive to success for our clients. Our rooms are warm, welcoming and modern, and we offer a variety of on-site amenities including a fitness center, yoga, massage therapy, spiritual, and religious services, common areas, onsite laundry, community telephone access, and healthy meals.

Inpatient Daily Schedule

During your stay at the NERC, you will follow a structured daily schedule. This clinically driven approach utilizes evidence-based practices and treatment models to maximize your success. Our schedule includes a variety of group and individual sessions diversified to include internal exploration through art, mindfulness, and journaling, as well as education and skill-development related to the effects of trauma and substances on the brain and body.

Some of these sessions include Art Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and our Family Renewal Program, in which a Family Engagement Therapist works with you and your loved ones to educate, prepare for life after treatment, and improve relationships.

Clinical Care: Recovery Plan

Upon admission, you will be assigned a clinician who will be your point person for the remainder of your stay. The role of this clinician is to provide support and guidance as you work together to develop the best possible recovery plan tailored to your specific needs and ensure that you receive all the services needed to address your needs. Your clinician will also work with your loved ones to educate them about addiction and recovery, and how they can help.

You will also work with other members of our team, such as the physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, mental health clinicians, and recovery specialists.

Continuing Care After Treatment

Residential treatment is just the beginning. Your journey is a lifelong one, and it is critical that you set yourself up for success after discharge. Your clinician will work with you to create a Continuing Care Recovery Plan to help maintain the progress you’ve made in treatment and prevent future relapses. We consider everything, including education, housing, legal issues, and employment.

To ensure success, former clients access Spectrum’s many outpatient treatment centers for ongoing support and counseling. We also recommend sober houses when warranted.

Our main goals are for you to identify the negative effects of alcohol and other drugs, develop relapse prevention skills and develop an achievable plan to move forward and enjoy the best life possible.

About the New England Recovery Center

The New England Recovery Center™ is situated on a 25-acre picturesque campus in Westborough, Massachusetts. This classic New England town is located at the crossroads of the Mass Turnpike and Interstate 495, offering easy access to Boston’s Logan International Airport and T.F. Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island. Transportation services to the facility are also available upon request.

Any questions? Give us a call at 1 (844) 800-NERC (6372) or via our Contact page.