About Northpointe Council The First Step Center
Northpointe Council The First Step Center is a residential addiction treatment program in Niagara Falls, New York, offering 24/7 detox and stabilization for adults with substance use disorders.
Located on Allen Avenue, this 24-bed center provides medically supervised withdrawal and residential stabilization for people who need intensive support but not hospitalization.
As part of the broader Northpointe Council system, the program emphasizes a true first step into recovery through structured, supervised, evidence based care.
Detox at The First Step Center
Clients can begin with medically supervised inpatient withdrawal, with 7 detox beds and 17 stabilization residential beds available in a continuously staffed, sober setting.
Both medical and non-medical detox services are offered on-site, supported by nursing, medical and counseling personnel around the clock.
Beyond withdrawal management, the program connects clients to Northpointe Council's wider continuum of care, including outpatient treatment, methadone maintenance, medication management and family and couples counseling.
Approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy and rational behavior therapy to support adults recovering from alcohol use, opioid use and co-occurring disorders.
Facts About The First Step Center
- Location: Niagara Falls, New York, southeast of Niagara Falls State Park and the Underground Railroad Heritage Center
- Levels of care: Residential treatment with medically supervised withdrawal and stabilization beds, open 24/7
- Who they treat: Adults age 18 and older with substance use and co-occurring disorders
- Approach: CBT, rational behavior therapy and medication management as clinically indicated
- Payment options: Medicaid, private insurance, self-pay, sliding scale, financial assistance and EAP coverage
- Continuum of care: Connects to outpatient services, medication assisted treatment and family counseling




