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Drug & Alcohol Abuse

Chemical dependency is an addiction to or dependency on alcohol, drugs or prescription medication.

Our chemical dependency programs, led by medical director Dr. Paul Updike (certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM), offer a compassionate, non-judgmental approach that is sensitive to the individual’s need of privacy and confidentiality.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Catholic Health’s alcohol and drug addiction services are on an outpatient basis only and are provided at our Substance Treatment and Recovery (STAR) facilities.

Our services include:

• Assessment and referral
• Drug and alcohol counseling
• Prescription drug treatment
• Courts program treatment – individuals needing treatment who appear in court for legal violations may be referred to drug court, where access to treatment will be provided. Individuals may be referred to STAR or to additional providers.

Addiction to Pain Killers for Pregnancy and Postpartum Women

Many pregnant women who are regularly taking prescription pain killers such as Lortabs were prescribed these drugs after car accidents or back surgery. While pain killers do not harm babies in utero, many babies are born physically dependent (click here to learn about babies experiencing withdrawal).

Our staff will help you recover from an addiction to pain killers and coordinate your care with your OB/GYN to ensure that your baby will receive proper care.

Treatment Facilities

• STAR St. Vincent's – Buffalo
• STAR – Amherst

Heroin or Prescription Drug Addiction

At our Pathways methadone clinics, patients addicted to heroin or prescription drugs receive a liquid dose of methadone, a synthetic opiate that controls withdrawal symptoms and is consumed on-site. Therapy is also provided by our counselors.

Treatment Facilities

• Pathways – Buffalo
• Pathways – Rochester

Becoming a Patient

Physician referrals are not necessary. In order to receive treatment, please call the phone number at one of our facilities listed above.

The Catholic Health alcohol and substance abuse programs are approved by the Joint Commission (JCAHO) and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).