Massachusetts-Access to Recovery (MA-ATR) is a Federally-funded program designed to give people with substance use disorders wider access to community services to help them start or continue on the road to recovery.
MA-ATR is creating an integrated and coordinated system of care that brings together traditional treatment services with a host of non-traditional community and faith-based recovery support services. MA-ATR works in two counties: Hampden County (Springfield area) and Suffolk County (Boston area).
"There's almost nothing more inspiring to me than people in recovery"
-Dr. Christine Pace, a resident at the Boston University School of Medicine
What is Recovery?
A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Through the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, SAMHSA has delineated four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:
- Health: overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms—for example, abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications if one has an addiction problem—and for everyone in recovery, making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional wellbeing;
- Home: a stable and safe place to live;
- Purpose: meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income and resources to participate in society; and
- Community: relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.
Click here to read SAMHSA’s Definition and Guiding Principles of Recovery
What is the Massachusetts View on Recovery for ATR Clients?
The Massachusetts Access to Recovery (ATR) program is designed to support individuals in early recovery or those individuals needing assistance to stabilize their lifestyle at a particularly vulnerable time. ATR will provide services that support entry into the recovery community and provide recovery support services to strengthen and enhance any clinical treatment services a person has or is receiving.
Although recovery is a lifetime process, ATR is not intended, nor appropriate, for people who have maintained long term recovery.
Click play to watch this inspirational video. It might give you hope for change.