Substance use disorder (SUD)
If you or a family member has a substance use disorder (SUD), you're not alone. Millions of Americans struggle with SUDs. We can help. Your plan covers outpatient and inpatient care for SUD. Learn more.
Need help finding a behavioral health (BH) provider? Use our online provider search tool.
You play a vital role in your treatment for SUD. If you have just been newly diagnosed with SUD, these steps will support your recovery:
- Find a provider you can trust to help navigate your recovery. Keep in mind that many providers offer in-person and/or virtual (telephone or online) therapy.
- Identify and talk with your provider about any problems that may affect your ability to start and continue treatment (such as: remembering your appointments or lack of transportation)
- Ask your provider to help you get added support if you think it will help. You can ask your provider to refer you to a peer recovery coach, care manager or to help you find community-based supports.
Metabolic monitoring may be an important part of treatment for children and adolescents 1–17 years of age who take two or more antipsychotic medications.
If your child takes two or more antipsychotic medications:
- Make sure the child has the following tests every year:
- 1 blood glucose or HbA1c AND
- 1 cholesterol or LDL-C test
- Ask your child’s PCP's office to help you schedule the required labs ahead of time (preferably during the child’s annual wellness visit)
- Discuss the test results with your child’s PCP
- Ask questions and find out if there are any education options available to help you better understand the test results
- Ask the PCP’s office (or the child’s care manager, if they have care management services) to coordinate care with the behavioral health specialists treating your child
It’s important to get the proper follow up care within seven days after you (or a family member) is discharged from the hospital for mental illness or self-injurious behavioral concerns.
The hospital social worker or discharge planner will help you schedule an appointment with a behavioral health specialist (not your PCP) within seven days of discharge (but not the same day as discharge).
To make sure you get the care you need:
- Schedule your follow-up care appointment with a behavioral health specialist ahead of time instead of going to a walk-in appointment. Your follow up appointment can be in-person or through telehealth (telephone/virtual).
- Make sure that you go to the scheduled appointment
- Talk with the hospital social worker or discharge planner about any problems that makes it hard for you to keep your follow-up appointment (such as: remembering the appointment, transportation, childcare, etc.)
- Ask the hospital social worker or discharge planner to coordinate care with any community-based programs you work with. You can find additional behavioral health supports in your area at Community Behavioral Health Centers | Mass.gov
- Ask the hospital social worker or discharge planner to refer you to care management services, if you’d like someone to help you coordinate your care
Here are some examples of behavioral health specialists who can provide proper follow up care:
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Clinical social worker (LICSW, LCSW, LMHC)
- Mental health occupational therapist
- Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist
- Neuropsychologist
- Psychoanalyst
- Professional counselor
- Marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
Follow up care after an emergency department visit
The emergency department staff will help you schedule an appointment with a behavioral health specialist (not your PCP) either in person or telehealth within seven days of discharge (but not the same day as discharge).
These tips will help you get the support you need:
- Discuss your preferences for treatment with the emergency department provider before your discharge and remember to bring your discharge paperwork to your follow-up appointment
- Make sure the emergency department staff gives you discharge paperwork before you leave
- Ask the emergency department staff to share information about your visit with your PCP and behavioral health provider within 24 hours of your discharge
- Follow your treatment plan and take medications as prescribed
- Ask for help coordinating care between your behavioral health and primary care provider
Call us at 888-257-1985 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., if you have any questions or need help getting the care you need.