FAQs

Where are your clients from?

Substance use disorder and mental illness doesn’t discriminate and neither do we. While many of our clients are from the northeast, we work with families across the country. Our community has become the foundation of our clients’ recovery, providing a home base and safe space.

For both current clients and alums, Release is a destination for healing. Even after transitioning into independent living, many clients stay in the area to maintain sobriety in the vibrant recovery communities in NYC and Westchester. In fact, our own founder Zac Clark came to NYC to recover and never left!

Is the facility supervised?

The founders of Release have built a team with vast experience in the field of recovery. There are staff members onsite 24/7 to ensure the safety and well-being of each and every client.

Tip for success: If you are considering other sober living programs, make sure they provide overnight, awake staff. Many programs do not offer this, and it makes a big difference.

Do you allow medications at your transitional living facility?

Yes. We work closely with highly qualified doctors who help steer our clients’ medication protocols on a case by case basis. There is significant evidence supporting MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment). We believe that the “A” in MAT remains “Assisted” and is not replaced by “As.” We do this by exposing our clients to different recovery methods and communities.

Are your transitional living clients drug tested on-site?

Yes, safety is our number one priority. All clients are required to breathalyze nightly and are randomly drug tested 3-4 times a week. Drug testing is performed using a 12-panel drug test. Urine samples are periodically sent out for lab testing.

Release utilizes a Sober Link, a portable breathalyzer, as an additional layer of support for clients who are approved to leave the property overnight. Overnight passes are typically granted to clients after their first one to two months at Release and approved by a case manager, with the family’s knowledge and consent.

What happens if a client relapses?

There is no shame in relapsing, as it can be a part of the recovery process. Rather, we look at relapsing as an opportunity for growth and learning. Our clients are surrounded by a team of professionals who have comprehensive experience navigating relapse.

If the client is a transitional living resident he cannot stay in the community until the relapse has been addressed and he is medically cleared to return by a doctor. We will remain engaged with the family and the client through the relapse to provide support and ensure everyone’s safety. We believe in second chances and will not turn our clients away if they are willing to recommit to their recovery.

Can clients work or go to school while living at your facility?

Yes. We work with our clients to build a robust schedule that includes work, school and volunteering. Clients spend their first 30 days at Release focusing solely on their recovery. If there are extenuating circumstances and clients need to return to their full time jobs, we will work with their treatment teams to create a recovery schedule that supports their return to work. Once clients have established their foundation by meeting our early recovery expectations, clients work with their case manager to select a school track or work track. We work closely with our clients to support them as they transition back to a school or work environment.

What do your clients do in their free time?

Recovery isn’t a punishment. We are committed to creating positive experiences for our clients by showing them that they can have fun in recovery. We provide opportunities for our clients to go hiking, surfing, kayaking, and bowling. Our clients attend baseball games, camping trips, comedy shows, dinners out, and barbecues. We also encourage our clients to plan events for the community. We often give our clients a budget and ask them to plan a fun experience for the community.

Can clients have cell phones and laptops?

Our clients are permitted to have their cell phones and laptops as our program teaches clients how to integrate the real world into their early recovery. We reserve the right to hold laptops or cell phones if at any time we determine they are deterring a client’s recovery process.

What are your service fees?

We are happy to provide a breakdown of our service fees and what is included with each service. Please call us directly at (914) 588-6564 or (800) 678-2196.

Do you take insurance?

No, we do not take insurance but we have worked hard to forge partnerships with local clinical providers, most of whom take insurance. That said, families have worked with their insurance companies in the past who have had success in getting reimbursement. There are insurance advocates out there who can help. If you need assistance, let us know and we can hook you up with a referral.

Do you provide refunds?

While we encourage our clients and families to make a 3-month commitment to working with our team, we bill monthly and do not ask our families and clients to sign a long term contract. Refunds are considered on a case by case basis.

Who Will Help a Loved One or Myself Move Through the Process of Care?

All Release Recovery clients will be assigned a case manager. Case managers are the “quarterbacks of care.” They meet with clients regularly, advocate for their best interest, maintain communication with all key stakeholders, and provide start-to-end guidance and coordination of the treatment process. They can assist with clinical referrals, court date prep, recovery goals, and more. Release is also proud to offer 24/7 support staff.

How Long Does the Admission Process Take?

Our team is largely home-grown, and the majority of us have lived experience. We understand first-hand the importance of urgency when a person is ready and willing to get help. We try to move as quickly through the process as possible, but it is comprehensive. To effectively capture all relevant information and history from current providers, loved ones, and the client themselves, ideally, we have at least one week from first contact to admission

What makes Transitional Living different from Sober Living?

Release’s transitional living is much more than a place to live. It’s a thoughtfully crafted program designed to provide the structure, accountability, and community needed to sustain your recovery and integrate what you learn into your life post-treatment. From our high client-to-staff ratio, awake overnight staff, and upscale facilities to our unique programing (i.e. yoga, volunteer work), frequent drug and alcohol testing, and bi-weekly family support groups, transitional living at Release is unlike anywhere else. 

Every client is also assigned a case manager, who meets with clients regularly, advocates for their best interest, maintains communication with all key stakeholders, and provides start-to-end guidance and coordination of the treatment process. 

Can I work while at Release?

We encourage our clients to seek employment during their time with us once they have established their foundation of recovery. It is an important step to take while in our program, surrounded by support and as we work to instill the skills needed for independent living.

Do I Need to Have Completed a Detox or Treatment Program Before Applying?

No, there are no treatment requirements pre-admission. Admission to our program is determined on a case-by-case basis. 

What type of Recovery Programming is Offered?

From volunteer work, cooking, and yoga to academic and career support, writing, and group movement classes, Release’s programming is extensive and diverse. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in community-oriented activities like camping trips, dinners out, barbeques, and more. And Release offers one-on-one Adventure Recovery coaching in Westchester for those who wish to utilize nature as a tool in their recovery.

Is There Programming for People with Busy Work and Home Demands?

New York City has no shortage of people working in high-performance careers, where stress and tight deadlines rule the day at work and at home. Our transitional living track for busy professionals and executives allows our clients to integrate sustainable recovery into their professional lives. This track offers a good balance of structure and accountability, while accommodating clients’ work and life demands; and it has yielded excellent results for many of our clients. We can also provide concierge services that adapt to any client’s needs.

How Long Can or Should a Client Stay?

We don’t focus on the length of time, but rather behavioral milestones. Everyone’s journey and the time required to achieve progress is different. But generally, we advocate for three months at minimum. 

Is There a Difference in Services Between the NYC Transitional Living Residences and the Westchester Location?

No, there is no difference between the program structures. Due to lack of access to public transportation at our Westchester location, clients are provided daily transportation services. 

What is Your Medication Policy for People who are Prescribed Necessary but Abusable Substances?

We support Medication-Assisted Treatment and work with clients on a case-by-case basis. 

Will I Have a Roommate?

There are shared rooms and single rooms available.

Are Residents Allowed to Date?

We do not recommend entering into a romantic relationship when early in your recovery journey. This is highly case-by-case dependent and what is considered healthy will depend on the client

Does Release Provide Support for People with Dietary Allergies or Restrictions

Yes, Release will work with each client to ensure that they have access to meals that suit their particular needs.

What Should I Bring?

Our transitional living programs are all-inclusive, meaning that you just need to bring yourself, a desire to participate, a positive mindset, and your basic belongings – such as clothing, personal grooming items, etc.

Are There Any Devices Not Allowed Within the Residences?

Clients can bring any device. We institute an electronic blackout for five days upon arrival. And then clients must turn in their device each night for the first month they’re with us.

Is It Possible for Residents to Gain Additional Privileges?

Residents may, down the road, be given additional privileges based on trust. These are not simply rewards; they’re a show of good faith that, over time, a person who has made progress in our program can begin to take on more responsibility.

What, if any, Over the Counter Medications Are Not Allowed?

Over-the-counter medications are permitted, but all medications are kept in a locked locker. 

Is Smoking Tobacco/Vaping Allowed?

While Release promotes health and wellness, we do permit clients to smoke in designated smoking areas; and for anyone seeking to quit, we encourage smoking cessation aids and will provide support. 

Can a Client Leave The Program at Any Time?

It is up to the client to decide if and for how long they stay in our program. Our clients are advised to stick with the program for three months to best see the benefits associated with structured transitional living. That said, entering our transitional living program is voluntary. Residents will not succeed without a desire to do so.

Are Clients Allowed to Sleep Overnight Elsewhere?

Overnight stays must be approved by staff. Approval is based on our staff’s assessment of a client’s risk level and an overall level of trust that has been built. Safety and accountability are our highest priorities, as such residents are breathalyzed nightly and randomly drug-tested 3-4 times a week. For overnight stays, we use a portable breathalyzer called Sober Link for clients granted permission to leave the property.

Can I Bring My Pet?

Release permits service animals (i.e. guide dogs, seizure detection animals), as recommended by doctors and on a case-by-case basis. This does not include emotional support animals.

How Do You Choose Who is Involved in an Intervention?

An intervention that is being conducted for a person in their teens or early 20s will require significantly different planning and execution than an intervention for someone much older. We work closely with those requesting the intervention to thoughtfully craft a plan that will yield the best possible outcomes.

How Long Can the Sober Companion Service Be Used?

There are no time limitations for how long a Sober Companion can be used. 

Need Confidential Assistance for Yourself or a Loved One?

Complete this form or contact us directly at [email protected] or (914) 588-6564.

(914) 226-4830