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
Overcoming Stigma: Addiction and Recovery Over 46 million American men and women over the age of 12 have a substance use disorder, making up about 17% of the entire U.S. population. Unfortunately, only approximately 6% of these individuals seek out treatment. This leaves a large percentage of people struggling with a substance use disorder not … Read more
Community and Support Systems in Addiction Recovery Addiction recovery is hard. Not only does the person with a substance use disorder need to resist the urge for “just one more hit,” but when they’re around the same people — many of whom also have a substance use disorder — it makes it increasingly difficult to … Read more
Is Oxycodone Abuse the Same as Opioid Abuse? Oxycodone is an opioid. It is considered a potent opioid that is intended to be judiciously prescribed to relieve pain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of immediate-release oxycodone for the management of chronic moderate to severe pain. Generally, prescriptions for oxycodone and … Read more
The Hidden Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse Xanax is a powerful benzodiazepine that is often prescribed to treat sleeplessness, panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and similar problems. Despite its therapeutic benefits, its high potential for addiction and abuse makes Xanax a cause for serious concern. In 2021, roughly 14% of opioid overdose deaths also … Read more
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”.
