Delay in Obtaining Opioid Dependency Treatment in New Hampshire Poses Potential Mortality Risk
In the state of New Hampshire, the drug overdose crisis continues to take a devastating toll. In 2019 alone, 428 lives were lost to drug overdoses, according to recent data. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for expanded substance abuse treatment facilities and programs.
For many struggling with addiction, finding help can be a daunting task. Dr. Randy Knight, an emergency room physician, sees firsthand the challenges faced by those desperate to detox from opioids. He notes that there is very little he can do for patients in the emergency room, as heroin withdrawal is not considered life-threatening, and most rehab programs will not take people unless they are free from drugs for at least three days.
Finding a safe place to detox is not easy, as there is a shortage of detox facilities in the state. This situation leaves many addicts at risk of relapse and overdose, as they cannot wait for treatment without assistance.
Eddie Sawyer, a former partner of Eileen Shea, was one such individual. He died from a drug overdose after being on the waiting list for a bed at the Friendship House, northern New Hampshire's only residential treatment facility. Shea regrets not being able to take Sawyer to the hospital, as he died before he could get into treatment.
The Friendship House, with its 18 beds and transitional housing for people recovering from addiction, is a vital resource in the fight against substance abuse. However, the typical wait to get into the residential treatment facility is four to six weeks, according to Kristy Letendre, the facility's director.
New Hampshire has made strides in addressing the shortage of treatment facilities and doctors. This year, the state has doubled its funding for substance abuse treatment. President Obama proposed a fix for the shortage of doctors who can prescribe medications to help people detox at home on Monday.
The state also boasts several high-quality rehabilitation centers, such as Discover Health Group in Nashua and Green Mountain Treatment Center in Effingham. These facilities provide a full continuum of care, including medical detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs.
Advocacy organizations like New Futures are pushing for legislative measures aimed at improving the substance use treatment system. While some bills such as House Bill 751 (to strengthen patient protections and ensure quality services) and House Bill 432 (to support recovery housing development) passed initial stages, they were stalled in committee votes during the 2025 legislative session.
Recovery housing is recognized as a critical need in New Hampshire. Despite the growth in certified recovery homes, the supply is still insufficient. Advocacy continues to focus on policy changes to support cities and towns in developing recovery housing, which helps fill a key gap in sustained addiction treatment and recovery support.
Treatment centers in New Hampshire emphasize compassionate, informed decision-making support, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and a non-judgmental approach that respects patient autonomy. Facilities like East Point also provide treatment addressing both addiction and mental health, recognizing the complexity of co-occurring disorders.
While New Hampshire has established multiple treatment centers and programs and advocates actively for legislative improvements, challenges remain due to insufficient recovery housing and stalled policy reforms aimed at expanding and enhancing treatment access and quality.
This story is part of a partnership between WBUR's Here & Now, NPR, and Kaiser Health News.
References:
- Discover Health Group. (n.d.). Our Programs. Retrieved from https://discoverhealthgroup.com/our-programs/
- New Futures. (n.d.). Current Policy Priorities. Retrieved from https://www.new-futures.org/policy-priority/
- Green Mountain Treatment Center. (n.d.). Programs & Services. Retrieved from https://www.greenmountaintreatment.com/programs-services/
- East Point Behavioral Health. (n.d.). Services. Retrieved from https://eastpointnh.com/services/
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Substance Misuse Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/bhd/substance-misuse-treatment.htm
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