Detox Center Closure: UMass Memorial to Shut Teen Program

Published June 9, 2025 - Detox Tips & Guides

When you hear “detox center,” you might picture intense clean-eating regimens or trendy juice fasts. But for some Massachusetts teens, detox means critical medical care—and that care is disappearing.

UMass Memorial Health in Worcester announced it will close its Motivating Youth Recovery (MYR) acute detox and stabilization program for 13–19 year-olds on July 7. The decision comes after several years of declining referrals and a shift toward in-home and office-based treatment, the hospital told the Boston Business Journal.

Why the Teen Detox Program Is Shutting Down

MYR, run by Community Healthlink (CHL) under the UMass Memorial affiliate, offered short-term medical and mental health services to teens struggling with substance-use disorders and other co-occurring conditions. But in recent years:

• Families have preferred home- and office-based counseling over in-facility stays.
• Efforts to boost referrals and community awareness did not reverse the decline in client volume.
• UMass Memorial faced mounting financial and operational pressures, leading to a hiring freeze and clinic closures.

“This shift in preference has resulted in a significant reduction of client volume, and it is no longer feasible for CHL to offer the program,” UMass Memorial stated in its email to WBJ. The last teen patient discharge date is July 7, and staff will be assisted in finding new roles within the health system.

Part of a Broader Trend

MYR’s closure marks the third behavioral health clinic shutdown in less than nine months for UMass Memorial. Community Healthlink primary care sites in Leominster and Worcester also closed last fall and this spring. Dr. Eric Dickson, UMass Memorial’s president and CEO, told WBJ that rising costs have finally outpaced the system’s long-held ability to absorb deficits.

A Sobering Reminder

For teens battling addiction, acute detox programs can be a lifeline—offering medical supervision, counseling, and peer support in a controlled environment. As more families opt for outpatient models, the question becomes: how do we ensure crisis care remains available when it’s needed most?

Whether you’re researching detox shampoos for a hair-based drug test or exploring whole-body cleansing protocols, it’s clear that “detox” means different things to different people. But for teens in recovery, having a dedicated facility can make all the difference.

Learn more about the closure in the original report: WBJ: UMass Memorial to close teen detox center.