programs

residential treatment

Residential Rehabiliative Recovery Services

Jeremiah’s Inn Inc. assists over 100 men each year in making the necessary changes to their thinking and behavior that supports a recovered lifestyle. Recovery is so much more than staying abstinent from drugs and alcohol. At JI we use the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) criteria to formulate a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan with each patient. This evidence-based approach highlights an individuals strengths, while focusing on challenges they may face while working toward their personal recovery goals.

What is Social Model Recovery?

Social Model Recovery

This model of treatment combines strong Case Management support with a peer oriented program of experiential learning.

The Social Model works because it teaches people to “Live Recovery”. Rooted in the principles & practices of the Twelve Steps of Recovery — the oldest recovery program in the US — the main focus of the house is “Living Recovery”. The Social Model allows patients to live in a safe, supportive, sober environment while learning to juggle their recovery, responsibilities at the house and with their family, and employment. The entire time they are at the Inn, the men are building community with one another and making outside connections in the recovery community, self-help meetings, volunteering and work. When they complete the program, they have already established a routine, made connections and became part of a community of support, which is paramount to continued sobriety. At the Inn, we use a peer leadership model. Each man gives and receives support, and encouragement. They get involved in community activities that promote recovery. They return to work and volunteer, making contributions to the economy and society, and many go on to lead full and productive lives. Jeremiah’s Inn provides more than 105 men each year with the opportunity to make the necessary lifestyle changes, and learn to “Live Recovery.”

How does Jeremiah’s Inn differ from other programs?

Addiction is a complex disease that affects body, mind and spirit. We offer a wide variety of activities aimed at helping our patients learn new coping strategies and techniques to aid them on their journey to lasting recovery. Exercise and yoga have proven to help prevent relapse, and reduce withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.

Weekly Broga (yoga for bro’s) offers the men “real tools for coping with daily stresses and demands through an accessible yoga-based fitness program taught from a man’s point of view.” Furthermore, residents also have access to the YMCA just a short distance away.

All residents also receive private energy healing sessions and small group mindfulness & meditation with Reiki Master Sylvia Murphy. These practices have been utilized for centuries to promote mental and spiritual well-being.

We encourage our residents to be open to learning new paths of self-discovery and healing. It is our hope they continue to employ some of these techniques to support their recovery.

Holistic Approach

Holistic activities uniquely strengthen the mind-body-spirit connection that is so essential to becoming a healthy, happy and fully integrated individual – which is the ultimate goal for anyone in recovery.

What is Harm Reduction?

group of men on porch holding we are recovering sign

Harm Reduction 

A comprehensive prevention strategy, harm reduction is part of the continuum of care. Harm reduction approaches have proven to prevent death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. Harm reduction is effective in addressing the public health epidemic involving substance use as well as infectious diseases and other harms associated with drug use.

Harm reduction aims to meet people where they are at, and without judgment make sure they have access to services that reduce the risk of disease and death associated with substance use. Harm reduction is a vital component of our comprehensive, integrated treatment approach at Jeremiah’s Inn (JI), which includes access to Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) such as Buprenorphine/Naloxone or Methadone. 

In addition, our patients are given infectious disease prevention training, and testing, and have access to treatment. Patients attend smoking cessation groups and have access to materials such as Nicotine patches and gum.

Staff and patients are trained in overdose prevention and the administration of Naloxone and we are an Approved Naloxone Affiliate of the Community Naloxone Purchasing Program (CNPP)Patients have access to a myriad of community supports that focus on removing barriers to obtaining safe housing and employment such as transportation and legal issues. 

“When I came to JI I thought I was going to a treatment facility- I was really entering a family. Everyone there was involved in, and cared about my treatment. I’ve built lifelong friendships through JI and I LOVE everyone there. Thank you JI.”

Kenny P.

FUn In Recovery

Our experience has taught us that getting out into nature, and bonding with your brothers and sisters in recovery are important components of a balanced lifestyle.  Patients and alumni have the opportunity to participate in group hikes 2-3 times a year and play on our Worcester Co-ed Sober Softball League (CSSL) team in the spring/summer months. Recovery is about so much more than being abstinent- it’s about leading a life you don’t want to escape from in the first place!

Volunteer & Advocacy

It is our mission to help people better their lives, and we are committed to the community we serve. We partner with and support local advocacy organizations, and our patients and staff participate in fundraising and awareness-raising events throughout the year, such as the Worcester Cares about Recovery Annual Walk & Celebration, International Overdose Awareness Day Candlelight Vigil, and Worcester’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Volunteering & Advocacy

A large part of our recovery program revolves around giving back to the community that sustains us.

Aftercare & Alumni Program

We know recovery is a journey and not a destination. We encourage residents to carefully plan their aftercare and participate in the JI Alumni program events and activities.

Research shows that individuals who participate in a formal aftercare program increase their chances of staying abstinent. A study in the Psychiatry Journal (Volume 2014, Article ID 692423, 16 pages) reports that after one year patients who attended both 12 step meetings and a formal aftercare program had a 90% chance of staying abstinent compared to 60% who only attended 12 step meetings. The alumni program offers accountability, support, and community to residents who successfully complete our residential program.

Eligibility & Application Information

Eligibility Criteria

18  years and older
• Stable medical and mental health status
• Substance abuse/misuse diagnosis
• Massachusetts resident
• Willingness to change your life and a desire to remain substance free

 Required Documents

1. The Residential Program Application

2. Submit a recent Bio-Psych-Social evaluation, no more than 6 months old and with a primary diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD)

3. Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) approved form of identification

Application Process

• Submit an online application or return applications via fax: (508)793-9568 or mail to: Jeremiah’s Inn, 1059 Main St., PO Box 30035, Worcester, MA 01603.
Applications will not be processed until all the required paperwork is received.
• We recommend applicants call within one week of submitting the application to check on its status. Contact Serina (Ext. 130) to inquire about the status of an application.
• Applications are reviewed by the case management team. If approved, the next step is an interview. After a successful interview, applicants are placed on the waiting list. No one is added to the waiting list until they have been interviewed by Jeremiah’s Inn staff.
• Applications are closed after 30 days of inactivity
• We recommend applicants and referral agencies to read our resident manual.

To check on the status of your application please contact our Intake Coordinator, Serina Conner at (508) 755-6403 x 130  or email her at serina@jeremiahsinn.com.

Additional Resources

Please take note, we are not a homeless shelter. If you are experiencing homelessness or seeking emergency shelter, please use these resources:

    • Addiction Resource Website
      Addiction Resource provides resources to help those suffering from substance use disorders and their loved ones find treatment and support. They offer a wide variety of information around substance use disorders, including recognizing signs and symptoms of abuse, who’s at risk, the various levels of care, and self assessment tools.
    • SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
      This organization provides a wealth of information around substance use disorders and mental health disorders. They offer many publications, data, and resources for the patient, their families, and treatment professionals. They also provide a treatment locator to find treatment facilities in your area
    • Stigma Free Worcester
      This smart phone app was researched and developed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students in collaboration with the City of Worcester’s Department of Health and Human Services. It helps connect the user with substance use, mental health, food, and shelter services in Worcester. View information about organizations and sort them by the services they offer, the insurance they accept, when they are open, their distance from you, and their eligibility requirements to find the resource that’s best for you.
    • Make the Connection
      Launched in 2011, maketheconnection.net connects Veterans, their family members and friends, and other advocates with mental health information, local resources, and Veterans’ own inspiring stories of recovery. Visitors can learn about the signs of problems with drugs and alcohol and find sources of support. The site is free and accessible to everyone.
    • Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS)
      BSAS oversees the statewide system of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals, families, and communities affected by gambling and substance addiction. They are responsible for: Licensing substance use disorder treatment programs and counselors, funding and monitoring prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services. Providing access to treatment for the uninsured, developing and implementing substance use disorder-related policies and programs. Tracking substance use disorder treatment trends.