Action for a Better Community New Directions

Action for a Better Community's New Directions program in Rochester, New York, is all about helping people rebuild their lives when drugs or alcohol have gotten in the way. It’s part of a larger community agency that’s been around since the 1960s. You’ll find them by Lynchford Park.

But New Directions is where they focus on substance use treatment. And they don’t just treat the person; they also bring families into the process because addiction rarely impacts only one person.

They start with thorough evaluations so the team can figure out what level of care someone really needs. From there, treatment can look like individual counseling, group therapy or family sessions. They also offer trauma-informed care, recovery management, relapse prevention and support groups. For people who have opioid use or other substances, medication-assisted treatment is available, too.

Support for Teens and HIV Services

New Directions doesn’t just focus on adults. They also run prevention and treatment programs for teens. That includes sexual health education for youth ages 10-13 to help prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies. And they offer specialized counseling for young people with substance use issues.

HIV and Hepatitis C prevention and treatment are another big piece of their mission. New Directions provides confidential testing, education and links anyone who tests positive to care. Harm reduction strategies are a big part of their substance use program here too.

A Path Toward Self-Sufficiency

The team at New Directions understands that recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. They coordinate with community resources, mental health support and services that promote independence. And for anyone worried about cost, they accept insurance and also have a sliding scale for self-pay clients.