Charles River Recovery 
What Is Drug Detox? When someone is addicted to drugs, detox or detoxification is an important first step on the road to recovery. A person who is addicted to a drug is both physically and mentally unwell. Detox focuses on the physical side of the addiction. Once a person has cleared that hurdle, they can … Read more
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal: Stages, Symptom, and Strategies for Recovery When someone who regularly consumes large amounts of alcohol abruptly cuts down or stops drinking altogether, they may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Even though withdrawal symptoms tend to affect adults the most, they can also occur in young children and teenagers who drink alcohol. The more … Read more
Can Opioids Lead to Depression? Did you know that around 131,778,501 opioid prescriptions were dispensed across America in 2022? Opioids have been a standard go-to solution for managing pain among chronically ill people. Sadly, people misuse their medications, and others use opioids without medical advice, leading to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). OUD touches around 2.1 … Read more
Does Withdrawing From Alcohol Cause Fatigue? People who have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) typically experience withdrawal symptoms after they stop drinking. This can include occasional fatigue and even chronic fatigue. Weariness and the degree of it vary from person to person. Fatigue certainly affects you physically but also mentally and emotionally. Many people understandably … Read more
The Road to Recovery: Understanding Drug Detox and Alcohol Rehab Programs Are you suffering from drug addiction, and do you require some assistance? If so, you should consider rehabilitation and detoxification. It is important to understand that there is a distinction between detoxification and rehabilitation. Detoxification is usually the first step during the recovery journey … Read more
What Does Drug Detox Feel Like? Detoxification is an essential first step on the road to recovery from any kind of substance use disorder. One of the reasons why people struggling with substance use disorders hesitate to participate in a detox program is because they aren’t sure what to expect from it. Some people may … Read more
IOP Programs When an individual finds themselves caught in the throes of a drug or alcohol use problem, they have choices on how to proceed with handling their substance use issue. The good news is one of those choices is admitting they’re having difficulty controlling their substance use and to ask for help. There is … Read more
Can Withdrawal Cause Insomnia? Experiencing withdrawal from any substance can be extremely overwhelming emotionally and, in many cases, even physically. Understanding whether drug withdrawal can cause insomnia is essential. The more familiar you become with insomnia, its causes, and how it is connected to withdrawal, the easier it will be for you to find remedies. … Read more
Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Substance use disorder, or SUD, can lead to a stroke. Interestingly, only alcohol generally causes stroke during withdrawal. It is also true that other drugs that could cause stroke from use, such as cocaine, heroin, and meth, might cause strokes in a client in detox because of residual material still in … Read more
Is Anxiety a Symptom of Drug Withdrawal? Does drug withdrawal cause anxiety? Yes, anxiety can occur when withdrawing from any drug or other addictive substance or behavior. Anyone who is physically dependent on a drug is likely to experience withdrawal syndrome when decreasing or stopping usage. Withdrawal can produce a wide range of unpleasant symptoms, … Read more
Available 24/7 – We accept most insurance plans.
75 Norumbega Rd, Weston, MA 02493
Admissions: (844) 441-0455
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 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”.