New York Addiction Treatment Centers And Recovery Resources
Drugs are smuggled in via international airports, major railroads, commercial sea vessels and private carriers. With so many conduits into the state, it’s no wonder the number of New Yorkers in drug rehab is so high.
According to the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, there were 48,108 people in nearly 800 New York drug treatment facilities. Some of these patients came from the nearly 44,000 who were arrested for felony drug position in the state.
Drug addiction in New York is a serious problem. If you or someone you care about is addicted, contact one of the New York drug treatment programs found on Recoverycorps.org.
To start, we’ve created this information page. You’ll find data on New York’s most commonly abused drugs and information on addiction recovery.
Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine and crack cocaine are readily available in New York, and are associated with more violent crime than any other drugs. Over 50% of all federal drug sentences are for these two drugs.
According to the most data, nearly 3% of New Yorkers age 12 and older have used cocaine in the past year.
Cocaine addiction is tough to overcome on your own. Consider therapy. New York cocaine treatment programs offer a variety of treatment options such as 12-step programs, behavior therapy and pharmacotherapy.
Club Drugs
MDMA (ecstasy, Adam, XTC,) is readily available throughout New York. This stimulant and mild hallucinogen is trafficked from Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada. It’s the most popular club drug throughout New York.
MDMA is widely available and used at nightclubs, techno parties, and on college campuses throughout New York. It’s most often abused in New York City but its use has spread to cities like Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany.
Heroin Addiction
Heroin continues to be a highly abused drug throughout the state. One recent NYC paper headline read: “Smack is back: Huge Bronx bust shows super potent heroin flooding city.”
Nearly 20%--the U.S. average is 14%--of all admissions to New York drug treatment centers are for heroin abuse. In New York City, the number bumps to 25%. Heroin addiction recovery is one of the most difficult.
In the past, heroin was brought in from Asian markets. Today, there’s a direct funnel from Colombia making the drug more readily available, increasing the purity, and increasing the likelihood for abuse.
Methamphetamine Addiction
Meth abuse in the state is not as high as other drugs like cocaine and heroin. In fact, the number of admissions to New York drug treatment programs is so small it doesn’t even register in a national survey. By contrast, the average number of admissions nationally is 6%.
New York City’s meth market is primarily for crystal methamphetamine produced in Mexico. In upstate New York, local clandestine labs provide the drug.
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana is the most abused illicit drug in the state. In one survey, 12% of New Yorkers reported using cannabis in the past year. More than one and three high schoolers have tried it. Admissions to New York drug treatment centers for marijuana addiction are about equal (16%) to the national average.
Even though marijuana possession under 25 grams was decriminalized in New York City, there are still over 40,000 arrests every year for marijuana possession in public view (MPV).
Indoor growing is becoming increasingly popular. In one recent bust, agents seized 7,000 plants worth $10 million from seven upstate homes. The marijuana not grown in state is smuggled in from Mexico, Jamaica and nearby Canada.
Pharmaceuticals
The painkiller Oxycontin is the most abused prescription drug in the state. Other commonly abused drugs are Vicodin, Xanax, and Ritalin. Abuse of these drugs has recently skyrocketed. From 1998 to 2008, the number of people seeking treatment for prescription drug abuse increased 400%.
Addicts obtain their drugs from a variety of sources—websites, doctor shopping, prescription fraud, inappropriate prescribing, and pain management clinics.
Recently, The New York State Department of Health introduced official state prescription forms to prevent forged prescriptions. However, people have found their way around this.
In one recent Staten Island Oxycontin bust, the seller stole a prescription pad from the doctor’s office he worked for. He then forged prescriptions and collected the drugs from local pharmacies.
Drug Laws
The Rockefeller Drug Laws, New York’s drug laws named after then governor, Nelson Rockefeller, are among the harshest in the country.
First offenders are often punished like repeat offenders. And penalties apply without consideration of the person’s background or the drug offense circumstances.
However, in 2009, the laws were revised, removing the mandatory minimum sentences.
Getting Help at New York Drug Treatment Centers
If you live in New York and need addiction recovery, Recoverycorps.org can help. Click on the location nearest you. Alternatively, type your address in the box above for a list of New York drug treatment programs.
Common Types of Therapy in New York
- Regular outpatient 43%
- Intensive outpatient 10%
- Day treatment/partial hospitalization 3%
- Outpatient detoxification .2%
- Methadone/buprenorphine 32%
- Residential: Short term 1.4%
- Residential: Long term 7.3%
Source: The National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services
Check our directory of treatment centers to find the New York Addiction recovery resources closest to your home.