Quick answer: Before choosing an outpatient addiction program in New York City, confirm it’s certified by the state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), ask who provides care, whether it treats mental health and offers medication, how the schedule works, how families are involved, what it will cost under your insurance, and whether it specializes in your age group.
How we put this guide together
New York Center for Living is an OASAS-licensed, LegitScript-certified outpatient program in Midtown Manhattan. These are the questions we’d want anyone to ask us, or any other program. The guide draws on New York State OASAS resources.
The questions at a glance
| Question | Why it matters |
| Are you OASAS-certified? | State oversight and standards |
| Who provides care? | Credentials shape quality |
| Do you treat mental health? | Co-occurring conditions drive relapse |
| Do you offer medication? | MAT is essential for some substances |
| What’s the schedule? | Treatment must fit school or work |
| How are families involved? | Family support improves recovery |
| What will it cost? | Avoids surprises |
| Do you specialize in my age group? | Teens and adults have different needs |
1. Is the program certified by OASAS?
New York’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports certifies substance use disorder treatment programs. You can search certified providers through the OASAS provider directory or FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov.
2. Who will provide care?
Ask about clinicians’ credentials. In New York, addiction counselors are often Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASACs), and therapists may be licensed clinical social workers or other licensed professionals. Ask who provides psychiatric care.
3. Do you treat co-occurring mental health conditions?
Anxiety, depression, ADHD and OCD often occur alongside substance use, especially in young people. Ask how the program assesses and treats them.
4. Do you offer medication-assisted treatment?
For opioid and alcohol use disorders, medication can be an important part of treatment. Ask whether the program offers or coordinates it.
5. What does the schedule look like?
Ask how many hours a week treatment involves and when sessions meet. At New York Center for Living, intensive outpatient involves 6 to 9 clinical hours a week, based on clinical assessment.
6. How are families involved?
Ask whether there’s a family program, how often families meet with clinicians, and how parents of minors are kept informed.
7. What will this cost?
Ask whether the program is in-network or out-of-network with your plan and how billing works. New York Center for Living is out-of-network and provides monthly superbills so families can seek reimbursement, and works with SJ Insurance Advocates to help with the process.
8. Do you specialize in my age group?
Teens, college students, young professionals and older adults face different pressures. Ask whether groups are organized by age and life stage.
9. How do you measure progress?
Ask how goals are set and tracked, whether drug testing is used, and how the program decides when you’re ready to step down.
Red flags
- Vague answers about certification or staff.
- Guaranteed results.
- Pressure to commit immediately.
- Offers of incentives to enroll.
To ask us these questions directly, call New York Center for Living at (646) 692-0034 or text (212) 712-8817.
FAQ
How do I know if a rehab in New York is certified?
Search the New York State OASAS provider directory or FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov to confirm a program is certified to provide substance use disorder treatment.
What is a CASAC?
A CASAC is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, a New York State credential for professionals who provide addiction counseling.
How many hours a week is outpatient rehab?
It varies. Standard outpatient may be a few hours a week; intensive outpatient is more. New York Center for Living’s IOP involves 6 to 9 clinical hours a week.
Can I use out-of-network benefits for outpatient rehab?
If your plan has out-of-network benefits, you can often submit superbills for partial reimbursement. New York Center for Living provides monthly superbills.
Should a teen go to an adult outpatient program?
Teens usually do best in programs designed for adolescents, with age-appropriate groups and strong family involvement.
