(Staten Island, NY)— HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services has responded to the prescription drug epidemic on Staten Island with its Chemical Dependency clinic at 56 Bay Street.

“Through this clinic, we are reaching people who have been struggling with addiction,” said Jennifer Outlaw, Senior Vice President of Integrated Health Services. The outpatient treatment program empowers individuals to stop using mood-altering substances, to strengthen their family and relationships, as well as to develop a healthy support network.

Young adults and adults who use the clinic’s services are typically referred by an external city agency. Throughout the program, clients are expected to maintain abstinence and attend appointments, including one-to-one and group sessions at the clinic. One popular group session includes anger management, which is a 12-week certificate program offering coping mechanisms and alternatives to acting aggressively.

“We had one young man in his 30s who was referred by parole for marijuana use. At the end of four months, he was sober. If our clients follow our care plan, they’re generally out of here in three to four months,” explained Wanda Richardson, Senior Supervisor of the Staten Island clinic.

Unfortunately, patients can relapse. “We had one gentleman in his mid-forties struggling with opioid use who experienced a relapse. However, we have staff equipped to handle that,” said Richardson. The clinic has Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors, Clinical Social Workers, Psychiatrists and Nurses who design and monitor highly individualized treatment plans for each patient.

The clinic also offers assistance to those who have received a DWI or DUI. Overall, the majority of clients at the Staten Island clinic are male and typically referred from parole, while the female client base are typically referred from NYC Administration of Children’s Services and domestic violence programs.

Last year, HSVS assisted nearly 500 adult clients through its Chemical Dependency Clinics in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. In 1999, the former St. Vincent’s Services opened its first Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program.

HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services Integrated Health Services provides skills-based therapy and healthcare management to empower individuals to achieve wellbeing. There also is an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic co-located at the 56 Bay Street location.

HSVS is accepting new patients at all three Outpatient Chemical Dependency Clinics in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. The Chemical Dependency Clinic located at 56 Bay Street, 1st Floor, Staten Island, NY is accessible by bus at Slosson Terrace / Bay Street. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Staten Island clinic’s number is 718-981-7861.

A roundtrip Metrocard is provided for each visit to those Medicaid eligible. For those without insurance, the staff can assist clients in submitting an Affordable Health plan application. Clinic walk-ins are welcome.

For more information on how to enroll as a client at any of our clinic locations, please contact Mary Slayback, LCSW-R, CASAC, Director of Chemical Dependency Clinics at 718-206-0218.