The center, which will be run by Pivot, will provide critical free programs for people in recovery from a substance use disorder and their families. The center is supported through a $1.75 million award from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
Recovery Community and Outreach Centers support multi-pronged approach to addressing substance use disorders in communities across New York State by providing locally based addiction support services.
The centers promote long-term recovery by providing professional staff, peers and volunteers to engage and support people in recovery. Individuals and families will also have the opportunity to connect with peers who are going through similar challenges, so they can benefit from shared experiences and commitment to common goals for recovery. Access to peer advocates, recovery coaches, and addiction peer specialists through these recovery centers will help to further enhance the recovery process.
"This is an important part of addressing the opioid epidemic in the north country. It is very difficult to rebuild a life and family after suffering from addiction. The services and support system this center provides will help many through this difficult process and at the same time create a community of recovery that can help convince others to overcome their addiction and enter recovery," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
More than $200 million was included in the FY 2018 State Budget to fight addiction across the state.
This budget promotes the enhancement of New York State’s nation-leading model of delivering prevention, treatment, and recovery services. It includes continued support for the state’s robust network of public and private service providers, as well as funding to implement new, and forward-thinking initiatives, such as Youth Clubhouses, Recovery Centers, Peer Advocacy, and Community Coalitions.
The budget also provides funding to open 10, 24-7 urgent access centers across the state, so people can be assessed and referred to treatment, whenever they are ready, without having to wait for regular business hours.
"Recovery centers are vital tools in our efforts to help New Yorkers break the cycle of addiction and restore hope to communities," Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. "This new center will help provide North Country residents with the resources they need to regain control of their lives, stay on a path to recovery and help make a stronger, healthier New York for all."
New York State OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez was in Watertown for the grand opening.
“Because addiction is a chronic disease, merely providing treatment is not enough. Recovery supports, like those at Anchor, have to be in place if people are going to succeed. At recovery centers, people with substance use disorder can engage with peers, attend support groups and develop a sense of community that will help them through the lifelong journey of recovery,” she said.
William W. Bowman, executive director of Pivot, Anchor’s parent organization, said the Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center will be an important tool to assist individuals and families struggling with issues tied to substance abuse.
“We in the North Country have worked tirelessly to address the heroin, opioid and other drug problems that have challenged our communities. The Anchor Recovery Center will fill a huge gap for individuals and families desperate for help by improving access to treatment, providing a wide range of recovery supports and tackling the stigma of addiction as we look to turn the tide on this crippling epidemic.”
Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center will offer peer support, skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness, and social activities in a safe, welcoming, and alcohol/drug free environment.
The center will also provide information, education, and assistance to the community on how to access addiction treatment and will help people navigate complex insurance and treatment issues. In addition, individuals and families can expect to receive services such as peer-led addiction and recovery support groups; family support and resources; life skills training; linkage with community resources; health and wellness activities; community service opportunities; and education and vocational services.
Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center will also feature a variety of self-help groups that address multiple conditions, including compulsive gambling and codependency, as well as substance use disorder. Numerous health and wellness activities including non-chemical pain management, yoga, and nutritional and parenting classes will also be available
All of the services are free and are developed to support and empower the recovery community. To meet the needs of individuals and families who may be in need of assistance at varying hours, services will be accessible not only during daytime hours, but also during evening and weekends. Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center is located at 241-243 State Street, Watertown.
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, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the new and improved NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard atFindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the Access Treatment page on the NYS OASAS website.Visit the #CombatAddiction website at oasas.ny.gov/CombatAddiction to learn more about how you can help to #CombatAddiction in your community.
Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the state’s Talk2Prevent website.
IN THE PHOTO:
New York State OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez was in Watertown Tuesday to help cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center. Pictured are (l-r): Melinda Gault, Pivot Board of Directors chair; Pat Fralick, acting director, Lewis County Community Services Department; Roger Ambrose, director of Jefferson County Community Services Department; William Bowman, Pivot executive director; Arlene Gonzalaz-Sanchez, OASAS commissioner; Anita Sigfried-Brown, Pivot; Wanda Holtz, program director, Anchor Recovery Center; and .