Treatment Services for Older Adults with Substance Use Disorders

As the leader of Odyssey House, one of the largest non-profit residential and outpatient treatment providers in New York City, I have witnessed firsthand the growing need for specialized services tailored to those struggling with addiction, including older adults. While substance use disorders can...

Today’s Treatment Models Use All the Tools in the Toolbox

Treatment for substance misuse begins before someone walks through the doors of a rehabilitation center asking for help. It starts when a person acknowledges their life is out of control - or controlled by a drug of abuse - and harms themselves and potentially others. Denial, conscious and...

Putting Tech to Work: Adapting and Enhancing Our Services

Putting advanced technology to work at Odyssey House was underway before COVID-19 disrupted our work and personal lives forcing us to change how we interact with each other. We have consistently invested in ways to make our administrative and program management tasks more efficient with remote...

Rising to the COVID-19 Challenge

When Governor Cuomo ordered the closure of non-essential businesses across New York State in response to rising coronavirus infection rates, Odyssey House stayed open. Our essential residential treatment centers, outpatient services, supportive housing apartments, and primary health clinics in...

Confronting the Opioid Epidemic: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach at Odyssey House

With more than 60,000 opioid overdose deaths nationally in 2016, a multi-pronged treatment approach is necessary to address the worst drug crisis in American history. Odyssey House is on the front line in treating those diagnosed with the most severe opioid use disorders. Since 2014, individuals...

Millennials in the Workplace: Investing in a Generation

Millennials are now the largest age demographic in the country and the fastest growing cohort in the workforce. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, it is projected that by the end of next year millennials will make up 47 percent of the employees in the workplace, and five years later they...

Addressing the Urgent Treatment and Housing Needs of Older Adults

In the midst of a devastating opioid epidemic, much of the attention has focused on the impact on younger populations, but there is another group struggling with substance use disorders: senior citizens. As baby boomers head towards their senior years, the number of older Americans with substance...

Investing in a Professional, Caring, and Mission-driven Workforce

The behavioral health care workforce is one of the fastest growing in the country. Projections for 2020, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, forecast a significant rise in employment for substance abuse and mental health counselors with a 36% increase from 2010-2020 – greater than the 11%...

Merging Missions: Building a Staff Wellness Program

Bringing wellness into the workplace is a natural development for Odyssey House where the mission of the organization is to promote a healthy recovery for individuals and families facing a range of life challenges from substance use disorders, mental illness, homelessness and chronic medical...

Opportunities for Improved Services with Integrated Care

The key component of integrated care – coordination of primary and behavioral health services in a way that is accessible from one place – is not a new concept for many substance abuse treatment organizations, such as Odyssey House in New York City, that operate Article 28 licensed medical and...