Access to Recovery (ATR) supports people in early recovery from substance use disorders in working towards their recovery and employment goals. We offer concrete resources to address barriers to employment, as well as recovery support and career services. ATR is not a treatment program—our focus is supporting people in accessing employment and other essentials for building a life in recovery. IHR provides ATR services at three offices located in Boston, Lowell, and Springfield. ATR is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible for ATR services if you can answer yes to all of the following questions:
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Do you have a substance use disorder?
- Are you in the early stages of recovery (3 months to 2 years)?
- Are you motivated to work on your recovery?
- Are you connected with a treatment or recovery support service provider?
- Do you live in Boston, Lowell or Springfield/Holyoke and do you plan to live there for the next six months?
- Are you interested in getting a job?
How to Enroll in ATR
If you are eligible to enroll in ATR, you can request a referral to ATR from your treatment provider. Individuals cannot self-refer and should be engaged with a treatment provider for at least two months. Once your referral has been accepted and your eligibility has been verified, an ATR Coordinator will contact you to get started.
Who Can Refer
Because ATR was designed to complement existing services, referrals must be made through an approved referral partner. ATR works with referral partners whose treatment programs and services support participants in their recovery for the entire 6 months of the ATR program. ATR’s referral partners work to assess each individual’s readiness to engage and benefit from ATR services, and to identify what types of ATR services may be most helpful. Referral partners include:
- Recovery homes/long-term residential treatment programs
- Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) providers (Suboxone, Vivitrol, Methadone)
- Outpatient treatment providers
- Behavioral health providers
- Community health centers
- Other recovery organizations
Coordination Services
ATR helps participants address barriers and achieve their recovery and employment goals by delivering individual support accessing resources including:
Career Services/Job Training
ATR is committed to working with community-based local providers who offer a variety of services and resources to support our ATR participants to become self-sufficient and lead healthier lives. ATR engages with employment readiness and career training providers to connect ATR participants with training that supports their employment goals.
Recovery Support
ATR supports participants with individualized recovery and employment planning. We connect participants to organizations that provide recovery coaching services, housing support, benefits counseling and other services as needed.
Supportive Services
ATR provides additional support addressing barriers to employment—including help with transportation, clothing, identification documents, and other items that support progress towards participants’ goals.
IHR ATR Sites
Boston
105 Chauncy Street, Suite 602
Boston MA 02111
Tel: 617-661-3991
ATR Lowell
97 Central Street, Unit 207
Lowell, MA 01852
Tel: 617-661-3991
ATR Springfield
155 Maple Street, Suite 306
Springfield, MA 01104
Tel: 617-661-3991