Bridge Program

Get Care in the Bridge Program

CONTACT:

781-624-5065

797 Main Street, Weymouth, MA, 02190

In a mental health crisis, please call Aspire Health Alliance: 

800-528-4890

The Grayken Center for Treatment's Bridge Program

What we are:

The Bridge Program is part of the Grayken Center for Treatment at South Shore Health, a regional healthcare system offering advanced health and wellness services, as an independent organization and in partnership with leading healthcare organizations.

The Bridge Program specializes in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorders (SUD). Its team is committed to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by addiction.

Under the direction of one of Massachusetts’ foremost leaders in addiction medicine, Todd Kerensky, MD, we offer evidence-based therapies, personalized care plans, and a supportive community that aims to empower individuals on their journey to recovery and long-term wellness.

We have treated thousands of patients across the South Shore and the region since our inception and are recognized as a safe, welcoming, and effective program for SUD services. We provide care regardless of insurance coverage.

How to access services:

The Bridge Program is located at 797 Main Street in Weymouth and is open to patients 18 years of age and older.

Patients can walk in at the Bridge Program during the following hours:

Mon.: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Tues.: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Wed.: 8 AM - 5:30 PM
Thurs.: 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Fri.: 8 AM - 3 PM    

However, we encourage patients to call us in advance at 781-624-5065 to schedule an appointment whenever possible.

What patients can expect:

Upon an initial visit, our team of experienced and compassionate medical professionals will conduct a thorough patient assessment and design a tailored treatment plan to address the unique needs and challenges of each individual.

Ongoing support is offered by providers from a variety of disciplines to help patients maintain sobriety and thrive in their daily lives.

Our team works in close partnership with Aspire Health Alliance, a state-designated Community Behavioral Health Center.

For convenience and privacy, we strive to treat people in the outpatient setting while minimizing the use of South Shore Hospital’s Emergency Department.

We provide and/or arrange transportation to and from SUD programs at no cost, with a range of options.

The Bridge Program offers virtual visits with clinicians and on-site parking for those who visit our location at 797 Main Street (Route 18) in Weymouth.

Who we treat:

We provide immediate access to patient-centered addiction treatment for anyone age 18 or older, including:

  • Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder Assessments
  • FDA-approved medications for alcohol and opioid use disorders
  • Motivational Interviewing based provider and counseling visits
  • Individual stabilization counseling for addiction and mental health
  • Contingency Management

Those under age 18 will be immediately referred to adolescent programs with whom we have working relationships including, but not limited to, ASAP at Children's Hospital and Catalyst at Boston Medical Center.

Our history:

The Bridge Program operated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to meet an unprecedented demand for services.

Our team has conducted over 13K visits with patients from across dozens of South Shore and Southeastern Massachusetts communities since the program’s inception in November of 2019.

Bridge Program

Dr. Todd Kerensky Shares an Overview

“The Bridge Clinic reflects South Shore Health’s unwavering commitment to helping individuals reclaim their lives from the grip of addiction. We offer hope, empowerment, and a chance at a better future.”
jim mclaughlin

Hear Jim McLaughlin's Story

For more than 40 years, Jim struggled with Alcohol Use Disorder. He found help with The Bridge Program.

Meet The Team

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Michelle Barry, LMHC

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Ani Deery, LMHC

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Joanne Hall, RN

Dr. Todd Kerensky

Todd A Kerensky, MD

Addiction
Hospitalist
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Alexa Mace, LMHC

Tim Quigley

Timothy Quigley, DNP

Words Matter t-shirt

Words Matter

Words matter when talking about patients struggling with addiction. Join South Shore Health in ending the stigmas surrounding substance use disorders.
Todd Kerensky, MD, at 797 Main Street

Take a Tour

Take a tour of The Grayken Center for Treatment, which houses The Bridge Program, The SHORE Program, and the Perinatal Behavioral Health Program.

Treatments Available at The Bridge Program

FDA-approved medications:

  • Naltrexone, both by mouth and intramuscular
  • Acamprosate Disulfiram

Off-label medications when clinically appropriate:

  • Topiramate
  • Baclofen (will not be used for people with opioid use)
  • Gabapentin (will not be used for people with opioid use)

When appropriate we do outpatient alcohol withdrawal/detoxification services.

  • Some patients may not qualify.

 

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder:

  • Buprenorphine sublingual
  • Buprenorphine long-acting subcutaneous injections
  • Naltrexone intramuscular
  • We do NOT provide methadone at 797 Main Street. All patients are referred to local Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) for this service.

Off-label medications for stimulant use disorders (cocaine, Adderall, methamphetamine) in addition to contingency management and counseling:

  • Balcofen
  • Topiramate
  • Mirtazepine

Additional Services:

  • Dispense naloxone kits and provide opioid overdose education.
  • Treat benzodiazepine use disorders.
  • Manage less common substance use disorders including gabapentinoid, dextromethorphan, phenibut, amongst others.
  • When appropriate do start first-line medication management for anxiety and/or mood disorders. This includes but is not limited to:
    • SSRIs, SNRIs, Atypical antipsychotics and occasionally will do mood stabilizers for people with bipolar spectrum disorders if the PCP will continue what we start.
    • We are not a psychiatric clinic; thus, we do not provide lithium therapy or manage difficult to manage psychiatric conditions that would require management by a psychiatrist.
  • Manage tobacco use with Wellbutrin, Chantix and nicotine replacement therapy.
  • Encourage mindfulness-based mediation, yoga, tai chi, and movement therapy.
  • We individualize treatment plans for 
    • More unstable patients are seen more frequently.
    • More stable patients are seen less frequently.
  • Treat hepatitis C
  • Offer pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis to those at risk for contracting HIV.
  • Provide fentanyl test strips.
  • Refer to harm reduction services in the community.
  • Addiction Treatment for pregnant and post-partum women up to 2 years via our SHORE Program
  • Maintain network of relationships with community treatment providers including ATS (detox), CSS, TSS, (residential programs), PHP, IOP, OBATs, FQHCs, and addiction and psychiatric programs in the community.

The Bridge Program does not offer inpatient detox programs or methadone treatment. To access those services, we encourage you to use our Community Resource Directory.

Find the Weymouth Substance Use Resource Guide online, produced by HEAL Together. 

To find a list of community resources that carry Naloxone, go to Narcan Saves Lives.

Behavioral Health News & Events

Dr. Todd Kerensky addresses MHA conference
News

Bridge Program, HEAL Weymouth Highlighted at MHA Conference

Bridge Program, HEAL Weymouth Highlighted at MHA Conference

The Grayken Center for Treatment is located in at 797 Main St., Weymouth
News

Bridge Program Award to Support Peer-Based Opioid Addiction Services

Bridge Program Award to Support Peer-Based Opioid Addiction Services

Guests in formal attire mingle beneath string lights in a white tent the Moonlight & Miracles Gala in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
News

Moonlight & Miracles Gala Raises More Than $525,000 for The Grayken Center for Treatment at South Shore Health

Moonlight & Miracles Gala Raises More Than $525,000 for The Grayken Center for Treatment at South Shore Health