Harwich Port, Mass., March 27, 2025 – Outer Cape Health Services, a federally qualified community health center with locations in Harwich Port, Provincetown, and Wellfleet, is responding to the demand for behavioral health and substance use disorder services on Cape Cod. To meet demand, OCHS oIers a range of behavioral health and recovery services, including outpatient addiction treatment, medication-assisted therapy, and recovery coaching.
In 2023, Barnstable County reported 72 opioid-related overdose deaths, highlighting the ongoing need for counseling and recovery services. Additionally, alcohol misuse continues to impact Cape Cod communities, with the 2022 Cape Cod Healthcare Community Needs Assessment showing that 40.9% of respondents identified alcohol use as a significant issue. Barriers to accessing treatment also persist. A 2022 Barnstable County Department of Human Services report cited transportation challenges, social isolation, and housing instability as obstacles preventing residents from seeking care.
In response, OCHS’s Day Treatment Program delivers intensive outpatient care through in – person group counseling, individual therapy sessions, and ongoing case management. This program oIers comprehensive support for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, with a focus on personalized, structured care. In addition, OCHS provides a range of holistic recovery approaches through the A.I.M. Wellness Center, which opened in September 2024 in Wellfleet.
OCHS also oIers OIice-Based Addiction Treatment, which combines medication-assisted treatment with behavioral health support to help individuals manage opioid and alcohol dependence.
“While inpatient treatment is necessary for some, many people living with substance use disorder benefit most from structured outpatient care,” said Brianne Smith, Director of Behavioral Health at OCHS. “One of the key advantages of outpatient care is that it allows individuals to maintain their daily lives while still receiving essential support – an important aspect of successful recovery.”
Recent developments, including the threatened closure of a state-run mental health facility in Pocasset and the relocation of some inpatient services oI Cape Cod, have increased concerns about access to essential care. “Access to treatment in any form is essential,” said Dr. Damian Archer, CEO of OCHS. “Our goal is to connect people with the support they need – whether through therapy, case management, or recovery programs.”
OCHS works with community partners to ensure patients have access to additional resources, including employment assistance, housing, education, and legal support. Patients can be referred to OCHS’s recovery services by primary care providers, behavioral health clinicians, self-referral, or other organizations.
For additional information on OCHS’s behavioral health and recovery services, click here.
About Outer Cape Health Services:
Outer Cape Health Services is a community health center organization with locations in Harwich Port, Provincetown and Wellfleet. Our mission is to provide a full range of primary health care and supportive social services that promote the health and well-being of all who live in or visit the ten outermost towns of Cape Cod. OCHS cares for more than 18,000 patients annually, and no one is denied access to services due to an inability to pay. Founded in 1987 through the merger of Health Associates of Provincetown and the AIM Medical Center in Wellfleet, Outer Cape Health has a long history of successful growth and expansion in pursuit of this mission. Outer Cape Health Services, Inc. (OCHS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is governed by a Board of Directors representative of its community. All board members live on Cape Cod and the majority are OCHS patients.
For additional information about Outer Cape Health Services, click here.