Allegany County Health Department: Behavioral Health Services – Joseph S. Massie Unit
The Allegany County Health Department’s Behavioral Health Services, featuring the Joseph S. Massie Unit, provides essential and comprehensive treatment options for adults grappling with alcoholism and other substance use disorders in Cumberland, Maryland. This facility operates with a primary mission focused on achieving and maintaining abstinence from substance use. Understanding that addiction is a complex disease affecting individuals and families, the center offers a multi-faceted approach to care.
Inpatient Addiction Treatment
The Joseph S. Massie Unit serves as a dedicated inpatient treatment facility, offering a structured and supportive environment necessary for initial recovery. The program provides a broad range of services designed to stabilize patients and lay a strong foundation for long-term sobriety. These services are delivered by a professional and compassionate team committed to treating both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.
Core components of the inpatient program include:
- Medical Assessment, Nursing, and Physician Services
- Individual, Family, and Group Counseling
- Alcohol and Drug Education
- Nutritional Services
- Psychiatric Evaluation
- Aftercare Planning
- Vocational Counseling
- HIV Testing, Counseling, and Education
Outpatient and Mental Health Care
In addition to the inpatient unit, the Allegany County Health Department offers robust outpatient addiction services, ensuring continuity of care and support as individuals transition back to their daily lives. These services typically involve ongoing individual, family, and group therapy sessions. Furthermore, the broader Behavioral Health Services department provides crucial mental health support, recognizing the frequent co-occurrence of mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Mental health offerings include psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, and crisis intervention.
The variety of programs ensures that treatment is accessible and tailored to different needs, whether it’s managing addiction, addressing underlying mental health issues, or providing support in a residential setting like Allegany House, which focuses on counseling, self-help meetings, and life skills training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the treatment programs?
The primary goal across the addiction services offered by the Allegany County Health Department is abstinence from substance use.
What types of therapy are available?
Both the inpatient and outpatient programs provide individual, family, and group counseling and therapy sessions.
Does the facility offer services for co-occurring mental health issues?
Yes, the Behavioral Health Services department provides specific mental health services, including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and individual/family therapy, to address mental health conditions that often accompany substance use disorders.
Is there a specific program for adolescents?
Yes, the Behavioral Health Services include a dedicated Adolescent Program as part of their outpatient addiction services, and school-based mental health services for children and adolescents.

