The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) announced the opening of the Wellness Center, a new comprehensive integrated outpatient treatment program in Brooklyn. Operated by the Center for Community Alternatives, this facility will allow individuals to access a wide range of services without the need to travel to multiple providers.

“The development of these programs is allowing us to provide comprehensive services including medication for addiction treatment, which is safe, effective, and proven to save lives,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “The opening of the Wellness Center will help people in the Brooklyn area better access the individualized help that they need, closer to home, and support their long-term health.”

Services offered at the Wellness Center, located at 25 Chapel Street, Suite 701 in Brooklyn, include all types of medication for addiction treatment, mental health counseling, court advocacy, health education, and employment support, delivered by a team of medical experts and peers.

This program is part of a more than $17 million initiative by OASAS to establish up to 41 of these programs across New York State. These programs are designed to centralize medication treatment, including methadone, and other addiction and healthcare services to make it easier for New Yorkers seeking treatment for substance use disorders to access multiple services in one location.

Funding for this program was provided through the Federal Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Block Grant Supplemental award and is being administered by OASAS.

“Center for Community Alternatives’ new Wellness Center is New York’s first integrated opioid treatment program facilitated by an organization that works to build power among those who have been impacted by mass incarceration, criminalization, and community disinvestment,” CCA Executive Director, David Condliffe said. “People who use drugs have faced stigma, discrimination, and degradation for decades, which has only pushed them further into the margins. CCA proudly offers medicine for opioid use disorder as a stabilizing piece of a holistic wellness plan, including mental health counseling, court advocacy, health education, and employment support. Over the years, we commit to growing this Wellness Center into a nationwide leader in harm-reduction and innovation to advance best practices that we learn by listening to our participants and collaborating with cutting-edge global health practitioners.”

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest substance use disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.