Dorchester County Behavioral Health strives to provide high-quality comprehensive treatment for those suffering from behavioral health 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 (SUD), gambling, and behavioral health 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, ACCESS to Harm Reduction and 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 therapy. Through this process we work to encourage positive change and wellness in those engaged in the treatment and the recovery process.
Dorchester County Behavioral Health
524 Race Street, First Floor
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: 410-228-7714
Dial 7-1-1 to place a call through Maryland Relay
Fax: 410-228-8049
Hours of Operation:
Monday 8-4:30
Tuesday 9:30-6
Wednesday 8-4:30
Thursday 11-7:30
Closed on state and federal holidays
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
- reentry 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.
Dorchester Recovery Initiative (DRI-Dock Recovery and Wellness Center)
Hours:
Monday 8-4:30
Tuesday 9:30-6
Wednesday 8-4:30
Thursday 11-7:30
Friday 8-4:30
Closed on all state and federal holidays
Phone: (410) 228-3230
Fax: (410) 228-7086
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:
- ACCESS to Harm Reduction Program
- State Care Coordination Services
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 Charlene Jones at (410) 901-8162 or send an email.
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
- promoting medication drop boxes
- Academic Detailing-educational sessions to improve how medications are prescribed.
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 local opportunities to support the initiative, email Angela Grove.
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 Charlene Jones at (410) 901-8162 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
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 DCBH 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.
Services available include one-time financial resources to prevent eviction or utility discontinuation, provide items associated with employment and assistance with medical and dental services.
Individuals may be able to get monthly bus passes to assist with their basic needs.
ACCESS to Harm Reduction
The ACCESS to Harm Reduction program is a public health initiative that addresses health disparities within Dorchester County.
This program provides naloxone (NARCAN®) training and medication for individuals, public and private community groups and businesses.
The program also provides fentanyl 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.
Harm reduction staff act as liaison with regional pharmacies to inform the public about the availability of naloxone (NARCAN®) in the community.