As Long Islanders continue to face barriers to timely substance use treatment, the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies announced last month that it had expanded its East Meadow location with a new substance use disorder clinic, a move intended to shorten wait times and connect more people with coordinated care closer to home.
Substance use disorder, formerly known as drug addiction, is a mental health condition where one experiences a problematic pattern of substance use that affects one’s health, well-being and quality of life according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Now fully operational and accepting new patients, the clinic strengthens the existing substance use treatment services, offered through the South Shore Guidance Center in Freeport, and builds upon the mental health services that have long been offered at the East Meadow facility.
The facility creates a more unified healthcare experience through the different programs offered and broadens the EPIC Family's ability to connect more Long Islanders with coordinated, evidence-based care while increasing access to services across the region.
The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies consists of EPIC Long Island, in East Meadow, the South Shore Guidance Center, in Freeport, and the Epilepsy Foundation Long Island, also based in East Meadow, providing a broad range of health and human services throughout the region. The organization also oversees the Nassau County Mobile Crisis Unit, which responds to more than 10,000 calls annually, further strengthening its commitment to providing reliable behavioral health support across Long Island.
The new SUD clinic in East Meadow as well as the pre-existing clinic in Freeport offer chemical dependency treatment for people living with substance use disorders while also offering education, counseling and support for family members, loved ones and children affected by a person’s substance use. Services, including individual and group therapy, as well as medication assisted treatment, are designed to address everyone’s unique needs through evidence-based treatment plans that promote long-term wellness and recovery.
“Our South Shore clinic, our substantive clinic, actually started many, many years ago,” Jennifer Colbert, a licensed social worker and chief clinical officer for the EPIC Family said. “It started as a clinic to help children who were living with folks who were struggling with substance abuse.”
Many people experience substance use disorders along with another psychiatric disorder according to EPIC leadership. The EPIC Family of Human Services is determined to help kids, families and individuals affected by substance use disorders.
“Every day, we see firsthand how substance use disorders impact individuals, families, and entire communities across Long Island,” said Lisa Burch, president and chief executive the EPIC Family said. “Expanding these services to our East Meadow location allows us to reach even more people who may have previously faced barriers to care. Whether someone seeks treatment in East Meadow or Freeport, our goal remains the same: to provide compassionate, comprehensive support that empowers individuals on their path toward recovery.”
Services, including individual and group therapy, as well as medication assisted treatment, are designed to address everyone’s unique needs through evidence-based treatment plans that promote long-term wellness and recovery.
EPIC Family of Human Service Agency also provides services offering outpatient counseling and support groups, Nicole Coto, a licensed social worker and the assistance vice president of its behavioral health clinic said.
Individuals interested in learning more about substance abuse treatment services at either the East Meadow or Freeport locations can reach out to (516) 739-7733 ext. 1308. For more information about the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies and all its programs, visit EPICLI.org.
A nonprofit donation to support its work can be made at EPICLI.org/fundraising/donation/.
