How do I contact Substance Abuse Services?

Substance Abuse Services are located at 7460 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA. and can be reached at (757) 664-6670.

The Substance Abuse department provides substance abusers and their families with a variety of treatment options by services focused on recovery from the effects of alcoholism and drug addiction. Our services include:

Opioid Replacement Therapy Program

The Opioid Replacement Therapy Program (ORTP) operates to reduce the physical, psychological and the social problems associated with narcotic dependency and other drugs of abuse for the citizens of Norfolk, Virginia.  The goals of the program are to eliminate the use of illicit drugs, to help establish and maintain behavior patterns consistent with the non-use of drugs and alcohol and to help reduce HIV/AIDS and other communicable and sexually transmitted disease risk behaviors.

The immediate goal of the Opioid Replacement Therapy Program  is to assist the client in becoming illicit drug free and stable on opioid substitution (methadone or ORLAAM).   This will enable the client’s medical conditions to be addressed and also help to eliminate high-risk behaviors which may lead to the infection of HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and incidence of sexually transmitted diseases.  The long-range treatment goal is for the client to establish sustained recovery with or without the use of opioid replacement.

Day Treatment Program

An organized service with designated addiction personnel or addiction credentialed clinicians that provides a planned regimen of treatment consisting of regularly scheduled sessions of a minimum of (20) treatment hours per week within a structured program.  The nature of services are correlated to the client's clinical needs, (e.g., detoxification, bio-psychosocial function, etc.).  This level of care affords the client the opportunity to interact with the real worldly environment while still benefiting from a programmatic structured therapeutic milieu.  This program provides specialized services to women and the dual disorder (mental health and substance) population.

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive Outpatient is a three (3) tiered program and a client can enter at two levels:  1) Level Three is the most intensive level. Clients attend three times per week. Clients with the most severe difficulties enter at this level.  If clients have experienced some abstinence in the past after treatment, them be evaluated to enter at: 2) Level Two, attending two times per week.  The goal is to place a client in the lease restrictive alternative that will be likely to support his/her recovery.  Level I requires attendance one time per week and is the aftercare phase of intensive treatment, ensuring that relapse prevention is working, addressing changes and challenges to recovery as they occur.

Length of stay in each level of Intensive is very subjective.  Treatment plans are developed at each level.  Clients move from level III to Level I based on achieving goals.  Client progress is reviewed monthly for possible graduation to a new level.

This is an organized service with designated addiction personnel or addiction credentialed clinicians that provides a planned regimen of treatment consisting of regularly scheduled sessions of a minimum of (6) treatment hours per week in a structured program.  The nature of services are correlated to the client’s clinical needs, (e.g., detoxification, bio-psychosocial function, etc).  This level of care affords the patient the opportunity to benefit from a programmatic structured therapeutic milieu. 

Traditional Outpatient

Traditional Substance Abuse Outpatient is an organized service with designated addiction personnel or addiction credentialed clinicians that provide a planned regimen of treatment consisting of regularly scheduled sessions within a structured program.  The nature of services are correlated to the client’s clinical needs, (e.g., detoxification, bio psychosocial function, etc.).   This level of care affords the patient the opportunity to benefit  from a programmatic structured therapeutic milieu. 

Criminal Justice Services

NCSB Jail Services include two programs “Bridges to Freedom” for women and “Freedom Within” for men.  Services are received at the Norfolk City Jail.   Both programs have the same admission, exclusion and release/discharge criteria.

“Bridges to Freedom” is a therapeutic community type treatment program with an expected length of stay of six (6) months.  The first 12 weeks provide intensive education regarding issues surrounding addiction to alcohol and other drugs.  During this period, clients receive group therapy and educational sessions Monday through Friday.  Clients will complete a wide variety of self-assessment assignments and receive thorough orientation to 12-Step Recovery Program, through lectures, speakers, readings, and in-house meetings.  Individual sessions will be scheduled throughout treatment.  A major component of this treatment experience is taking back a personal sense of responsibility, developing a healthy self-image as women, as well as a willingness to cooperate as part of a larger group. 

“Bridges to Freedom” does not provide credit for early release or “good” time.  A certificate of completion and personal letter will be given to each graduate to document attendance in substance abuse treatment.

“Freedom Within” is also a therapeutic community type program designed for male offenders 18 years and older in need of and who have requested substance abuse treatment and education.  The expected length of stay is 2 to 4 months.  The hours of operation are 8:30am to 6:30pm, Monday through Friday.  Evening, weekend and holiday periods are covered by program participants through assignments to conduct small process and self-help groups.

"Drug Court"  is a program developed with Norfolk Circuit Court and other criminal justice service agencies to divert non-violent individuals addicted to drugs to court-monitored treatment programs instead of jail. Treatment services utilize the intensive outpatient treatment protocol.

Detoxification, Residential and Housing Services

Provided to clients who need to withdrawal from alcohol or drug of abuse. Clients can be assessed for medical or social (non-hospital based) detoxification services. All detoxification services are provided through a contractual arrangement.

"Residential Services" are provided for clients who need an intensive, supervised treatment environment to assist them to maintain an alcohol and drug-free lifestyle. Services can last from 28 to 270 days. Residential treatment services are also available for pregnant women or mothers with children. Special unsupervised housing supports are provided for up to 90 days for qualifying clients.

HIV Early Intervention and Prevention Program

The purpose of the HIV program is to inform and educate both NCSB clients and citizens of Norfolk about HIV disease, to assist them in learning how the virus is transmitted and to teach them methods to protect themselves.

The program is designed to assist all clients identified as HIV positive to be assessed for case management and medical treatment.  They are also educated about HIV and its modes of transmission so that they will be able to adequately protect their partners whether through sexual contact or sharing needles in the use of IV drugs.  Program is a Ryan White Provider.