Substance use Treatment & Harm recuction services

"Harm reduction" refers to policies and programs focused on reducing social, health and legal impacts of substance use on individuals. These programs don't require stopping substance use as a prerequisite for receiving services.

General Drug and Alcohol Use Resources

Treatment locator, including the option to narrow your search to providers that accept Medicare, Medicaid, and some free clinics.

SAMSHA's National Helpline

US Dept of Health and Human Services Poison Help Hotline

    • https://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/ 1-800-222-1222

    • When you call the number, you will reach specially trained poison experts at a poison center that serves your area. This number provides free and confidential help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Interpretation services are available in 161 languages.

Click through the areas below to see substance-specific resources.

Alcohol

For information on AA meetings in New York City, click here.

Para obtener información sobre los grupos de AA en español, haga clic aquí.

Brooklyn-specific meetings can be found here.

Click this link to see more online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

    • Call 1-877-8-HOPENY

Opioids (Heroin, Fentanyl, Painkillers)

Narcotics Anonymous is for anyone struggling with substance use - regardless of the type of drug, and including alcohol. See their website for information about meetings.

Never Use Alone Hotline: 1 (800) 484-3731

People who are going to use a substance alone can call this number and someone will wait on the line while they use; if they become unresponsive, they will anonymously send EMS to their exact location. It is confidential (AKA anonymous).

Use the resources below to search for safe syringe exchange providers, some of which also provide materials for sexual safety practices and other related services.

National Harm Reduction Coalition Resource Center

  • See nasen.org/map for safe syringe exchange locations

  • Please use this guide to find safe syringe exchanges and other harm-reduction materials. Call ahead to determine if it's an appropriate resource for you.

Alliance for Positive Change’s LES Harm Reduction Center (Manhattan)

  • Van @ 25 Allen St, Tu-Sat 9:30AM-3:30PM (harm reduction material distribution, naloxone/Narcan distribution, and harm reduction counseling)

  • (212) 645-0875, x100

Before reading the following information on overdose prevention and response, please be aware that New York's Good Samaritan Law may not protect people on probation or parole. Read Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Laws to learn more critical information.

The 911 Good Samaritan law does NOT protect you from:

  • A1 felony possession of a controlled substance (8 ounces or more);

  • Sale or intent to sell controlled substances;

  • Open warrants for your arrest; and

  • Violation of probation or parole.

Being in a situation where you could witness an overdose could be a parole or probation violation. Be aware of the possible consequences if you call 911 and/or administer Narcan or naloxone (overdose prevention drugs).

CDC Opioid Overdose Help and Resources

NYC has a number of overdose prevention programs and pharmacies that will distribute naloxone to those who need it, for free or low cost.

For a list of overdose prevention programs, click here.

For a list of participating pharmacies click here.

Both users and non-users interested in overdose prevention and response training, see the NYC DOHMH website for information about trainings for those in the five boroughs, and this calendar for trainings offered in New York State.

The information contained herein is to provide a general, basic overview of the 911 Good Samaritan Law. It is not legal advice and you should not rely on it as legal advice. If you have any questions about how this law applies to your particular circumstances, you should speak to a lawyer. You can also visit the Legal Services page, which has links to some legal resource organizations.

Cocaine

For information about Cocaine Anonymous in NYC, visit their website.

Narcotics Anonymous is for anyone struggling with substance use - regardless of the type of drug, and including alcohol. See their website for information about meetings.

For friends and family of drug and alcohol users

Al-Anon Family Groups are 12-step programs for the family and friends of alcoholics, and there are specific groups for the children of alcoholics, women, LGBT-identifying people, and more. Click here for their NYC-area website.

There is also Alateen, which are groups specifically for teenagers affected by someone else's alcoholism.

Nar-Anon Family Groups are 12-step programs for the family and friends of addicts. Click here for the New York regional site. They also have teen-specific groups, similar to Alateen.