About us

About Charles River Recovery

At Charles River Recovery, we help people reclaim their lives from substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges. Our campus in Weston, Massachusetts, was designed for one purpose: to deliver safe, compassionate, evidence-based care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From your first phone call to your first steps back home, our team meets you with respect, experience, and a clear plan forward.

75 Norumbega Rd, Weston, MA 02493

Our Mission

We exist to make high-quality addiction treatment accessible, effective, and personalized. Recovery should feel human and hopeful, not confusing. We combine medical expertise with practical support so you can focus on healing-one decision, one day at a time.

Specialized Tracks

Veterans & Active Duty

Trauma-informed care, coordination with VA/community providers, and support that honors military culture.

Union Members

Confidential access, schedule-conscious programming, and support for returning to work safely.

Who We Help & Levels of Care

Medical Detox (Inpatient)

24/7 medical supervision to manage withdrawal safely and comfortably with evidence-based protocols.

No two recoveries look the same. That’s why we offer a full continuum of care and help you transition at the right pace.

Clinical Stabilization Services (Residential/CSS)

A focused residential step that builds structure, coping skills, and momentum after detox.

Day Treatment (PHP)

Intensive daytime programming with medical and psychiatric support; return to a supportive home or sober living at night.

Evening Intensive Outpatient (IOP)

Three to four evenings per week for therapy, skills, and accountability-ideal for work or family schedules.

Dual-Diagnosis Care

Integrated treatment for substance use and co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Mental Health Outpatient (PHP & IOP)

Psychiatry-led care for depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar and related conditions; CBT/DBT groups, individual therapy, and medication management.

How Care Works Here

From day one, you’ll have a clear plan and a team that knows your story.

Thorough Assessment

Medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial evaluations inform the development of an individualized plan.

Evidence-Based Therapies

CBT, DBT-informed groups, relapse-prevention training, motivational interviewing, family support, and more.

Medication Management & MAT (as appropriate)

Board-certified physicians and nurses manage medications to support withdrawal, reduce cravings, and stabilize mental health.

Whole-Person Focus

We address sleep, nutrition, movement, community, and purpose-because recovery touches every part of life.

Step-Down Support

As you progress, we coordinate the next level of care and aftercare resources to ensure you never feel like you’re starting over.

Our Facility

Our Weston campus is modern, comfortable, and designed to help you feel safe and cared for. Thoughtful common spaces encourage connection; quiet areas support rest and reflection. We’re minutes from I-90 and I-95, making access simple for families across Greater Boston and New England.

Insurance & Admissions

We work with most major insurance plans and offer fast, confidential benefits checks. Coverage can vary by plan, so our admissions team will verify your benefits and clearly explain the options before you begin. If you’re calling for yourself or someone you love, we’ll help you take the next right step-today.

Leadership You Can Trust

Quality care starts with a strong clinical team.

Milestones

June 8, 2022

Local community preview of a purpose-built treatment campus in Weston with a planned capacity of 110 beds (44 detox, 66 CSS).

August 15, 2022

Grand opening and first patients welcomed.

We continue to invest in staff development, program innovation, and partnerships that improve outcomes and access.

Our Clients’ Reviews

Posted on Google Google
Theresa Link profile picture
Theresa Link
May 20, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Charles River Recovery has been a beacon of hope and healing for our family. Your overwhelming sense of compassion and dedication has been amazing. You provided not just professional care, but genuine support and understanding that made all the difference in my daughter's journey through rehab. Your personalized approach ensured that my daughter received the exact help she needed, and your constant encouragement gave her the strength to keep moving forward. Seeing her progress and regain her confidence has been such a gift. We are eternally grateful to Charles River Recovery for your unwavering commitment to her recovery and for giving us the hope of a brighter future. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there every step of the way. We are blessed to have found you in our time of need and you will forever be family.
Posted on Google Google
Benjamin Manthei profile picture
Benjamin Manthei
May 1, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
CRR is a very safe, effective, professionally operated environment to receive treatment from various substance abuse issues such as alcohol and narcotics. No matter where one stands in their addiction they can know that they will be given the highest level of care and treatment. I highly recommend CRR to anyone seeking treatment that truly intends to get control of their addiction and live their life substance free.
Posted on Google Google
Kijuan Badras profile picture
Kijuan Badras
April 25, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I went to Charles River a week ago and I loved it throughly. The staff is very hands on from detox to CSS. They would take the time to knock on our door so we could go to meetings, when they only had to check on us every hour. I am prone to having panic attacks and they would often hold my hand or do whatever was needed until it passed. The meetings are led by people who are former addicts which is quintessential to productivity. The food was better than expected and the beds were comfortable. I would highly recommend this facility to anyone in the Boston area.
Posted on Google Google
Lewis H profile picture
Lewis H
April 11, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
The entire staff truly cares, my room was very comfortable and clean, the food is excellent. The groups are thought-provoking and solid 12 Step groups come each evening. This is an awesome place to begin recovery.
Posted on Google Google
Deon Chidarikire profile picture
Deon Chidarikire
April 11, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Charles River Recovery has all my gratitude and love for the Most supportive system, comfort, knowledge, healthcaring, and compassion with helping me have a successful recovery not only in the facility, but going forward once I completed the 30 day program. The experience I had at Charles river recovery was very impacting with the help from the staff members, and other patients who were also in a recovering process. Personally I felt like I was treated like family. I called the same day i decided to seek help and received a call less then a minute getting off of the phone with admissions and was told they would have a bed ready for me whenever I arrived that day. As soon as you do your intake, and meet with the nurses, your in good hands. All questions answered and any other inquiries regarding an outside of the facility was properly handled with my case mangers. The case mangers are very dedicated in helping you with any of your needs well you are in your recovery process. Even if some a case manger was busy, any of the staff members would go out of there way for you to help assist as best as they can. This helped a lot with my recovery knowing that the support system they had, made me worry less with anything I had going. In regards to the recovery process, they are very determined that you are getting the proper medication, well cooked and healthy meals, daily group sessions, 1 to 1 therapy sessions, and aftercare plans for when you have completed the program. Overall the experience I had at CRR was truly amazing for me especially for me as I checked myself in not having an idea about it. I truly believe I was in good hands and I received the best treatment to keep enjoying and living a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally. I would like to thank Charles river for a wonderful treatment and recovery and highly recommend anyone seeking treatment to Charles river for the best recovery you will get!

Our Commitment to Quality

We hold ourselves to rigorous clinical, safety, and ethical standards. That means evidence-based care, continuous training, careful outcomes tracking, and clear communication with you and your loved ones. If you have questions about our protocols, licensure, or quality standards, please don't hesitate to ask-we’re transparent by design.

Community & Collaboration

Recovery is a team effort. We coordinate with hospitals, primary care and behavioral health providers, veterans’ services, union programs, and Employee Assistance Programs to make sure your care is connected. When it’s time to step down, we help you transition smoothly to outpatient providers and local supports.

Why Families Choose Charles River Recovery

Ready When You Are

If you’re exploring options for yourself or someone you care about, we’re here to talk, explain next steps, and help you get started-today.

75 Norumbega Rd, Weston, MA 02493

Secret Link
Dr. Salah Alrakawi

Dr. Salah Alrakawi brings over 30 years of expertise in clinical medicine, academia, and administration. He is dual board-certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, reflecting his deep commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Currently serving as the Medical Director at Charles River Recovery, Dr. Alrakawi also holds roles as an Attending Physician in the Department of General Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Atrius Health, and the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center (MASAC). His multifaceted work underscores his dedication to advancing both the treatment of addiction and general internal medicine.

Dr. Alrakawi earned his medical degree from Damascus University and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Woodhull Medical Center. He is also a valued member of the teaching faculty at Harvard Medical School, where he helps shape the next generation of physicians.

Throughout his career, Dr. Alrakawi has been recognized with numerous awards and honors from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Tufts University School of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, highlighting his contributions to public health, education, and patient care.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Alrakawi is an avid traveler who enjoys hiking, playing soccer, and immersing himself in diverse cultures around the world.

Steven Barry

Steven Barry holds a B.A. in Economics from Bates College with extensive professional experience in both financial and municipal management. In his role as Director of Outreach, Steve leads the Charles River team in fostering relationships across the recovery community, local cities and towns, labor partners, and serving as a general resource for anyone seeking help.

Steve’s Charles River Why – “Anything I have ever done in my professional career has been rooted in helping people.  There is no more direct correlate to that end than assisting people find their path to reclaim their life from the grips of addiction”. 

Jillian Martin
Jillian Martin, the Director of Clinical Services, brings over 15 years of experience in behavioral healthcare and more than a decade in national executive clinical leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Concordia College in Bronxville, NY, combining psychology and sociology, and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern Nazarene College. Licensed as an LADC I and LMHC, she is also EMDR-trained. Her diverse background spans patient care in various settings, including inpatient treatment for underserved populations, utilizing an eclectic approach and innovative therapies to enhance patient experiences across levels of care. Jillian enjoys planning adventures, living life to the fullest, and spending quality time with her son.