Massachusetts Profession Recovery System (MPRS)

A representative will be happy to provide you with information about the MPRS program. For a referral or more information call Doug McLellan, MPRS Coordinator at (617) 973-0931.

Strict Confidentiality Maintained. Every licensed professional has the right to pursue recovery. Licensed professionals reaching out to help other licensed professionals cope with alcohol and drug problems.

Who We Are

The Massachusetts Professionals Recovery System (MPRS) is a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Health Professions Licensure and various professional societies and organizations, established to assist state-licensed professionals with alcohol and drug problems.

The program is designed to protect public safety and uphold a high standard of professional practice by monitoring the recovery of Board licensees with alcohol and drug problems. The MPRS provides an appropriate framework to encourage licensees with alcohol and drug problems to seek recovery without disciplinary action.

The MPRS does not provide services to nurses. Select SARP to obtain information about the Board of Registration in Nursing substance abuse rehabilitation program.

What We Believe

Chemical dependency is a bio-psychosocial disease affecting the cognitive, emotional, spiritual and physical being of the individual. It is a chronic, progressive health problem that responds positively to intervention and treatment. Behavioral change is possible and every professional should have the right to pursue recovery.

Recovering professionals make vital contributions to society. Given appropriate adaptations and accommodations, professionals in recovery can safely continue or resume practice in their communities.

MPRS, in its attempt to confidentially help professionals in need, understands that it must also protect and safeguard the public.

How We Work

A licensed professional admitted to the MPRS program agrees to abide by a prescribed treatment plan and contract developed by the MPRS Advisory Committee. The individual is supervised and monitored by the MPRS staff and Advisory Committee.

Noncompliance with the treatment contract may constitute grounds for reporting a participant to the appropriate board of registration and may be cause for disciplinary action by that board.

Admission to the program will be considered when an individual agrees to attempt to abstain from the use or abuse of mood altering drugs and alcohol.

The MPRS encourages self-referrals of professionals with alcohol and drug problems.

Licensed professionals or their family, friends, or employers can also contact the MPRS to get confidential information about the program or information about other resources available to assist health care professionals in recovery.

What is MPRS?
The Massachusetts Professionals Recovery System (MPRS) is a program of the Division of Health Professions Licensure that assists licensed professionals in overcoming alcohol and drug abuse, while ensuring public health and safety. Participants enter a signed Treatment and Recovery Contract with the Division, wherein the licensee agrees to specific requirements in order to comply with and be admitted to the program.

What is a ‘Treatment and Recovery Contract'?
The Treatment and Recovery Contract is a five-year, legally binding document tailored to the specific recovery needs of the impaired professional. The contract requires total abstinence from alcohol and drugs of abuse; self-help group attendance; random urine screens, individual or group therapy; and monitored professional practice.

How are the urine screens performed?
Urine screens are conducted by a designated Medical Review Organization (MRO) which provides random, supervised collection and testing of urine specimens for the expressed purpose of screening for the presence of alcohol and/or other drugs. The number of required urine specimens each year may vary, but each participant is required to have at least six annually.

What kind of "therapy" will I have to have?
Formal therapy is a very important component of the MPRS program, and length and frequency will be specified in each individual contract. However, a minimum attendance of two visits a month is required in the first two years. An approved therapist must have demonstrated education in the field of chemical dependency/substance abuse and be willing to collaborate with the necessary MPRS reporting requirements.

What kind of self-help groups will I have to attend?
All MPRS participants are required to regularly attend self-help group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Rational Recovery, A Way of Life and Women for Sobriety. Other programs may also be acceptable to MPRS. Participants are required to attend a variety of meetings and to obtain a sponsor. Attendance at self-help meetings is required a minimum of 46 weeks out of 52 weeks. 

How do I find these self-help groups?
The yellow pages of the phone book provide extensive reference for these groups in your geographic area. You may also link to their web-sites for more information:

• Alcoholics Anonymous 
• CDAD (for Dentists)
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hotlines

I have been practicing with no history of complaints or discipline. If I enroll in MPRS, will I be restricted from practice?
All MPRS applicants should expect to be required to adhere to some form of practice restrictions, especially in the first year of the program. The history and severity of the substance abuse generally determine these restrictions. Required restrictions may range from changes in working hours and access to narcotics, to total restriction from practice for a period of time. The first tenet of MPRS is to protect the public health and safety.

How long do I have to follow the Contract requirements?
MPRS is a five-year program. At the completion of five years, the licensee graduates from the program, and may expect to return to professional practice without restrictions. However, an MPRS participant may request changes in his or her Treatment and Recovery Contract. It should be noted that compliance for six months with all contract terms is required before any requests for changes may be granted.

Is admittance into MPRS confidential?
All inquires to MPRS are kept strictly confidential, and self-referrals are not reported to any disciplinary database. Communication about an applicant's participation in the MPRS program between the MPRS staff, therapists, health care providers, and employers may be required, however. Before admittance occurs, the applicant signs specific releases specifying with whom MPRS staff may communicate.

However, licensees cannot use MPRS admittance as a way to avoid the disciplinary process. Even in the case of self-referral, if at any time during participation in the MPRS program a complaint is filed regarding impaired performance, drug diversion or other substance abuse allegation, MPRS becomes part of the disciplinary process.

Those licensees who are referred to MPRS through disciplinary action by a Board of Registration have generally signed a "Consent Agreement" with the Board stipulating this action. The Consent Agreement itself is public record. However, the terms of the Treatment and Recovery Contract are not subject to public disclosure.

Does confidentiality continue if I do not complete the MPRS Program?
In cases of self-referral, if, at any time prior to signing the Treatment and Recovery Contract, the applicant withdraws request for admittance, no further action is taken on the part of MPRS and the process ends. Once the contract is signed, however, its requirements must be adhered to. Non-compliance or withdrawal from the program may result in referral to the appropriate Board of Registration for action. MPRS is always happy to review contracts with an applicant's therapist or legal counsel before signing.

Who is eligible to apply for admittance into the program?
Any licensee of the seven boards within the Division, subject to participation in the program by the Board. The Board of Registration of Nursing has its own Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP).

If I am licensed in another state, but not in Massachusetts, can I apply to MPRS?
No. The Division only has jurisdiction over Massachusetts's licensees.

How much will it cost to participate in MPRS?
There is no fee for entrance into the program. However, the licensee must bear the responsibility of all associated costs, including the initial assessment, therapy visits, urine screens, and continuing education classes. Self-help attendance is free of charge, and many insurance plans offer coverage for therapy visits. The initial assessment is approximately $200 and each urine screen is between $35-60, depending on the collection facility. Some insurance plans will cover this expense as well.

I have had problems with prescription drugs. Do I have to abstain from alcohol as well?
Yes. In addition, there are certain over the counter medications you must avoid. These are "gateway" drugs and can lead to relapse.

How do I get more information on MPRS?
You may call Doug McLellan at 617-973-0931 for confidential information on MPRS.