Behavioral Health

Overview

Dorchester County Behavioral Health strives to provide high-quality comprehensive treatment for those suffering from substance use disorders, especially underserved populations or those who are high risk, high utilizers of the healthcare system due to their disorder.    

Dorchester County Behavioral Health (DCBH) is a CARF accredited outpatient public behavioral health program that specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders. 

Our services include: 

• Treatment for both adolescent (age 12-17) and adult populations.    
• Level 0.5 Early Intervention/DWI Education
• Level 1 Outpatient Services
• Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Services
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) 
• Psychiatric evaluations   
• In-person and telehealth services
• Intake and referral for inpatient residential SUD services.

All phases of treatment incorporate recovery support services through our collaboration with state care coordination, DRI-Dock and Recovery Wellness Center. The Dorchester County Drug Court and Veterans Court Programs and Temporary Cash Assistance assessment and treatment are also available by referral.    

Our dedicated and compassionate staff includes a physician, social worker, masters level licensed and certified behavioral health clinicians and peer recovery specialists. 

We use “Best Practice” techniques, such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, conducted in individual and group counseling. Through this process, we work to encourage positive change and wellness in those engaged in the treatment and the recovery process.     

Treatment

Adolescent Outpatient Services

Our adolescent outpatient services provide an individual substance use disorder assessment. The client is placed in the appropriate level of care.    

Treatment consists of prevention, education, and motivational interviewing/cognitive behavioral therapy.    

Focus is on skill building and establishing protective factors to help the adolescent in pursuing a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle within their community.  

DWI Education Program (Adult & Adolescent)

Our DWI education program is a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) approved educational program that provides a twelve-hour program, two hours per week over a six-week period as required by the state of Maryland.    

This program provides an assessment and treatment recommendations for those charged with DWI. Generally, these clients are first-time DWI offenders who are either self-referred or referred by a private attorney.    

Outpatient Services

Outpatient Level 1 services consist of a behavioral health assessment. The behavioral health assessment is a comprehensive bio-psychosocial evaluation that focuses on the individual’s mental health, substance use, medical, environmental, family, spiritual, and employment to determine their need for treatment.

The treatment includes individual and group counseling, motivational enhancement, medication-assisted treatment, psychotherapy, disease management services, and referrals to a higher level of care.     

The curriculum used is “Seeking Safety,” a SAMHSA approved evidence-based, best practice curriculum. Seeking Safety is a trauma informed approach effective with individuals having SUD, PTSD, and other co-occurring disorders.    

General population surveys have documented that about 75% of individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) have experienced trauma at some point in their lives (Mills, Teesson, Ross, & Peters, 2006).    

Certified Seeking Safety personnel have trained DCBH staff and the curriculum has been used here since 2018.    

Day and evening groups are available. 

Intensive Outpatient Program

The substance use disorder treatment program uses an evidence-based best practice curriculum, “A New Direction,” which is a cognitive behavioral treatment. This curriculum focuses primarily on impulsive and addictive thinking and related unsafe behaviors.    

The Intensive Outpatient Program is the most intensive level of outpatient treatment available and is the primary treatment for those involved in drug court, veterans court and persons with a diagnosis that indicates the need for more intensive services.     

We provide clinical case management and supportive services for all clients. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is available based upon medical need.    

We provide referrals for detoxification and inpatient treatment, as well as halfway house and other residential aftercare. Day and evening groups are available.      

The behavioral health assessment is a comprehensive bio-psychosocial evaluation that focuses on the individual’s mental health, substance use, medical, environmental, family, spiritual, and employment to determine their need for treatment.    

The treatment for intensive outpatient care is primarily done through group sessions with periodic individual sessions. Clinicians use motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, psychotherapy, disease management services and referrals to a higher level of care.

Dorchester Addiction Reentry/Treatment (DART)

This program is voluntary and focuses its efforts on providing cognitive behavioral therapy to individuals incarcerated at the Dorchester County Detention Center diagnosed with an SUD.    

Upon release, DART helps individuals reintegrate into their community. Case management, recovery support, state care coordination, and transportation are available upon release from the local detention center.     

This program offers:    

• a standardized assessment tool – Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
• group and individual counseling
• re-entry case management services
• peer support services

Adult Drug Court

Dorchester County Adult Drug Court is a collaborative effort between DCBH and the Office of Problem-Solving Courts.    

This program helps individuals who are found guilty of a substance related offense address their negative involvement with substances.    

Drug Court offers a compelling choice for individuals whose legal charges stem from the use of alcohol and drugs.    

For participation in this program, individuals must be court ordered and in agreement with the terms.

Recovery

DRI-Dock Recovery and Wellness Center 

103 Maryland Avenue

Cambridge, MD 21613

Phone: 410-228-3230   

Fax: 410-228-7086

Email DRI-Dock

Hours:

Monday – Wednesday & Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Closed on all state and federal holidays

Regular Meetings, Events, and Trainings Held at DRI-Dock

Our mission is to help individuals and their families in their recovery from behavioral health disorders and related problems. DRI-Dock provides recovery support, advocacy, and a safe substance free environment. DRI-Dock Recovery and Wellness Center is a safe and healthy environment for individuals in or seeking recovery from a substance use disorder and/or mental health disorder.    

DRI-Dock is a peer-led facility staffed by peer recovery specialists. There are no sign-ups or insurance information needed to get services. All services at DRI-Dock are voluntary and free.     

Participants engage in programs and services:    

• One on One Peer Support/Group Peer Support
• Morning Meditation
• Women’s Peer Support Group
• Life Skills Group
• Reintegration Group
• Individual Recovery Plans (WRAP)
• All Recovery
• Coffee and Conversation Hour
• Family Night
• Monthly Special Events
• Walk-in naloxone (NARCAN®) training is available
• Referrals to Treatment
• Referrals to Community Services
• Job/Housing Search Assistance
• Veterans Assistance

Partnering services located at Dri-Dock:

• Overdose Prevention and Response
• State Care Coordination Services

Prevention

The Substance Use Prevention program develops, coordinates, and implements the county’s substance use prevention plan. Services are provided free of charge and referrals are not needed. The program serves only residents of Dorchester County.

Services include:

• Community outreach and collaboration
• Youth engagement
• Substance abuse prevention presentations
• Drug-free activities for youth and families
• Center for Substance Abuse Program (CSAP) models
• Technical assistance

For information, please call 410-228-3223 or email the health department about substance use prevention.

Mid-Shore Opioid Misuse Prevention Program

The Mid Shore Opioid Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP) works to prevent and reduce harm caused by opioid misuse. The strategies include:

• Offering safe storage and disposal information for prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• Educating the public about the risks of opioids and potential alternatives
• Talking with healthcare providers about safe opioid prescribing to reduce overdose and addiction and encouraging the use of non-opioid pain management strategies

In our region, the Dorchester County Health Department works with the Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s and Kent county health departments on this initiative.

For more information, go to the program’s website.

For local opportunities to support the initiative, email the health department.

Medication Dropbox Locations

You can dispose of unused or expired medications at several locations in Dorchester County. Please do not put needles or syringes in the dropboxes. To request an at-home medication disposal bag, please call 410-228-3223 or send an email. Supplies are limited.

Cambridge Police Department
8 Washington Street, Cambridge
Accepts medications 24 hours/day

Hurlock Police Department
200 Nealson Street, Hurlock
Accepts medications 24 hours/day

Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office
829 Fieldcrest Road, Cambridge
Accepts medications 24 hours/day

Overdose Response

Our Overdose Prevention and Response Program uses public health strategies such as prevention, risk reduction and health promotion to empower individuals who use drugs and their families to live healthier lives.

Our staff directly engages individuals who use drugs to prevent overdose and improve physical health and social well-being.

Services Provided

• Narcan Training
• FREE Narcan,
• Free Drug Test Strips
• STOP the BLEED Training
• Basic Wound Care Training
• First Aid/Wound Care Kits
• Hygiene Kits
• Peer Support Services
• Referral Services

CONTACT US:

Overdose Prevention and Response Program

103 Maryland Ave.

Cambridge, MD 21613

Phone: 410-228-7714 or 410-228-3230

Email: Melanie or Keita

Naloxone Training

This program provides naloxone (NARCAN^®) training and medication for individuals, public and private community groups and businesses.

The program also provides fentanyl and xylazine test strips to people who use drugs to help them make safer choices.

We provide education on HIV/HCV to decrease the number of individuals contracting these infectious diseases.

Overdose prevention staff act as liaison with regional pharmacies to inform the public about the availability of naloxone in the community.

Training on how to use Narcan is held at 10 a.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at DRI-Dock Recovery & Wellness Center, 103 Maryland Ave., Cambridge.

Email DRI-Dock at dri.dock@maryland.gov to ask for training for your organization.

Stop the Bleed Training

What is “Stop the Bleed”? 

“Stop the Bleed” teaches people how to stop life-threatening bleeding in an emergency. Think of it like CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, but for bleeding.  

People learn the skills to help someone who is severely bleeding before professional help arrives.  

In a serious injury, a person can bleed to death in a few minutes, often faster than paramedics can get to the scene.  

Why is it Important? 

Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. Accidents can happen anywhere — at home, at work, in a car crash, or during a public emergency.  

By learning these simple techniques, you can keep a person alive during the critical minutes it takes for an ambulance to arrive.  

You don’t need to be a doctor or a nurse; you just need to know the right steps to take. 

The ABCs to Stop Bleeding

The training teaches three simple steps to help you remember what to do. 

A – Alert 911

• Call for help first. Your first and most important step is to call 911 yourself or tell someone else to do it. This gets professional help on the way as fast as possible.
• Assess your safety. Before you help, quickly look around to make sure the area is safe for you. You can’t help anyone if you get hurt, too.

B – Bleeding: Find the Injury

• Find where the blood is coming from. You may need to remove or cut away clothing to see the wound clearly.
• Look for life-threatening bleeding. This includes blood that is spurting, won’t stop, is pooling on the ground, or is soaking through clothing.

C – Compress: Apply Pressure

• Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound. Use a clean cloth, gauze, or even your hands if you have nothing else. Push down as hard as you can directly on the source of the bleeding. Don’t worry about hurting the person — the priority is to stop the bleeding.
• Use a tourniquet if needed. If the bleeding is on an arm or a leg and direct pressure isn’t stopping it, use a tourniquet. Place it 2-3 inches above the wound (closer to the torso) and tighten it until the bleeding stops. It will be painful for the injured person, but it is necessary to save their life. Never remove a tourniquet once it is on.
• Pack the wound. For deep wounds in areas like the neck, shoulder, or groin, pack the wound tightly with gauze or clean cloth. Then, apply firm pressure on top.

Please contact Melanie Sheehan, BS, RN, at 410-228-7714 or 410-228-3230 to request Stop the Bleed training.

Based on guidance from the Stop the Bleed campaign. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human for accuracy and clarity.

Resources

There are many organizations that help support individuals in recovery and their families. Connecting with these organizations can help to keep those in recovery on their path to wellness and help families learn how to best support them. Prevention information for parents is also available. 

• Al-Anon/Alateen

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Partnership to End Addiction
• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
• UM Center for Substance Abuse Research
• Maryland Mid-Shore Intergroup AA

Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)    

The TCA Program is a collaboration between Behavioral Health and the Department of Social Services (DSS).    

This program addresses the requirement that individuals applying for Temporary Cash Assistance benefits through the Department of Social Services must first be screened for a possible substance use disorder.    

Individuals are assessed and, if appropriate, referrals for treatment are made and case management services are provided.     

State Care Coordination     

State care coordination is a countywide service which facilitates recovery housing opportunities and provides case management for individuals having a substance use disorder or in recovery from a substance use disorder.

Financial Assistance for those in Recovery* May Include:

• Bus Passes
• Vital Documents
• Driver’s Education
• Medical and Dental Services
• Rental Assistance
• Utilities Assistance
• Work Clothes/Supplies

*Must be actively in outpatient treatment

Direct Line: 443-521-4196

Office: 410-228-7714, ext. 122