For more information about our chemical dependency programs, please call (212) 604-8273. For referrals, please call (212) 604-8220.

Outpatient Chemical Dependence Program
203 West 12th Street
New York, NY 10011

The St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan Outpatient Chemical Dependence Program provides evaluation, group therapy and individual treatment to individuals of all ages, from adolescents to seniors, who suffer from dependence on alcohol or other drugs, including painkillers and methamphetamine. Treatment focuses on helping the client to establish and maintain sobriety. Psychiatric evaluations, treatment and medication management are provided when appropriate.

Each individual receives a thorough evaluation upon intake and an individualized treatment plan is developed, according to the client's needs. In addition to bilingual, bicultural Latino services, specialized services also are available for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender clients. An interdisciplinary team of compassionate professionals helps each individual meet his or her needs and goals.

For most clients, the initial stage of treatment consists of four groups and one individual session each week. Clients begin in the program's early education groups and then move on to groups dealing with early recovery and relapse prevention. Upon completion of the early education groups, needs are reassessed and clients may be referred to one or more specialty groups, including: activities of daily living skills, goal setting, stress management, leisure time planning, community reintegration, motivational enhancement and groups dealing with relationships. An important goal of group therapy is to help clients understand the ways in which addiction affect their health, relationships and educational and work performance.

For individuals who require a more highly structured program in order to prevent inpatient hospitalization or to provide transitional structure after inpatient rehabilitation, St. Vincent's offers an intensive outpatient program (IOP), with treatment offered both in English and in Spanish. The program provides group and individual clinical services from nine to 15 hours per week. After completing the intensive program, clients may move into the outpatient program. We also offer evening program groups Monday through Friday.

The Outpatient Chemical Dependence Program offers the following specialty services:

Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) Treatment Track
This newly developed track treats methamphetamine (crystal meth) users, focusing on the impact of an individual's drug use and risky behaviors in a context of recovery readiness counseling, harm reduction, support and eventual abstinence.

Latino Program
The Latino program offers group and individual treatment in Spanish to monolingual as well as bilingual individuals. Groups focus on helping Spanish-speaking individuals to overcome problems with addiction in a culturally sensitive manner.

MICA Services
This program assists clients challenged with both mental illness and chemical dependency to reach sobriety while achieving and maximizing personal functioning. Treatment includes helping clients to explore the relationship between their sobriety and mental illness.

Older Adult Services
Groups in this track focus on addiction issues specific to older adults, including coping with retirement, changes in health status, and social isolation.

Adolescent Services
This after-school program is designed for clients ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing problems with alcohol and other substances. Family involvement is an integral part of the program.

Buprenorphine Treatment
Outpatient detoxification using buprenorphine is available for persons dependent on opiates such as pain medication, heroin or methadone. Buprenorphine has been shown to prevent withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings and block the effects of opiates. Group therapy is an integral part of this treatment.