Our programs help individuals of all ages who want to become drug or alcohol free. Our compassionate and skilled staff will support you throughout your recovery process.
If you are new to Howard Center and are looking for services, please call our Access and Intake number at 802-488-6000.
ACT 1/Bridge*
*Due to a shortage of staffing and other challenges, we have made the difficult decision to suspend operation of the ACT 1 and Bridge programs. We hope to reopen both programs when we have stabilized our workforce and resolved other issues.
Once at ACT 1, individuals have a clean and supportive setting where they can stay while they regain their sobriety.
Following an initial screening, individuals may stay at ACT 1, be referred to the hospital for medical attention, released to a family member, or referred to protective custody.
ACT 1 follows a goal-directed approach toward intervention and treatment while recognizing that many clients are in the midst of a life crisis. ACT 1 helps the person and family through the crisis, promotes stability, and recommends an appropriate follow-up level of care and assists with referrals.
Bridge*
*Due to a shortage of staffing and other challenges, we have made the difficult decision to suspend operation of the ACT 1 and Bridge programs. We hope to reopen both programs when we have stabilized our workforce and resolved other issues.
The Bridge Program provides short-term stabilization, detoxification, and withdrawal management in a non-medical setting for individuals who are experiencing problematic alcohol or other drug use.
The Bridge Program is staffed 24 hours a day. We provide related services by coordinating with the University of Vermont Medical Center Emergency Department and through referrals to other Howard Center services, depending on each individual’s specific needs.
Bridge offers medical oversight, coordination of services for injection drug users, clinical assessments, and referrals for individuals needing more intensive treatment. Continuing care plans are developed with each client, and ongoing support after discharge is available through free, daily community support groups.
Clients are referred by the court system, primary care providers, friends, family, clergy, a concerned community member, and by self-referral.
Pine Street Counseling Services
Pine Street Counseling Services offers outpatient services for adults with mental health and/or substance use issues. The program promotes wellness and recovery in all areas and through all phases of a person’s life. Clinicians help clients focus on their strengths and encourage self-care, connections to others and the community, and independence.
Pine Street Counseling provides:
- Individual and group counseling.
- Care management.
- Psychiatric services.
Clients refer themselves to the program or they may be referred by another state/community agency.
For more information about Pine Street Counseling, call 802-488-6100 or 802-488-6000.
Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program
Howard Center offers The State of Vermont’s Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program (IDRP/formerly known as Project CRASH) for individuals who have had their license suspended because of an impaired driving violation. Individuals may need to complete the IDRP before they can have their driving privileges reinstated.
The IDRP provides people the opportunity to openly examine facts about alcohol and other drug use and discuss the role these substances play in their life. This is accomplished by an evaluation, a 10-hour education class, and frequently other requirements, which will be discussed during your evaluation as they are specific to every individual. For more information, visit the State of Vermont website.
Register here: Two-Step Enrollment Process
View or download the monthly and intensive weekend schedules for 2023.
Northern Vermont Outpatient and Spoke Services
Northern Vermont Outpatient and Spoke Services provides comprehensive outpatient substance use and co-occurring mental health counseling and medication for opioid use disorder to residents of Grand Isle and Franklin County.
Specific treatment options vary according to individual needs and may include individual or group therapy, care management or intensive outpatient treatment, and a safe, supervised environment for individuals who are incapacitated by the use of alcohol or other drugs until they can regain sobriety. Addiction medicine, including medication management to address alcohol use and opioid use disorders are offered in consultation with an addiction medicine provider.
The program provides referrals to treatment and offers information on resources in the community. Clients refer themselves to the program, or they may be referred by other providers, including law enforcement.
For more information, call 802-488-6265 or 802-488-6000.
Intensive Outpatient Counseling
Our Intensive Outpatient Program helps individuals achieve or maintain sobriety.
We offer intensive support for anyone who is making the transition from residential or community based treatment or for those who need more than weekly individual and/or group counseling can offer. Clients may choose our Burlington or St. Albans location.
For more information about our Intensive Outpatient Counseling Services, call 802-488-6140 or 802-488-6000.
Chittenden Clinic
Chittenden Clinic prescribes medications for opioid use disorder, including: methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone dosing for individuals seeking treatment.
In addition, we will make sure you have additional support throughout your recovery, including counseling, and referrals to other programs for help with housing, employment, transportation, and medical needs. For more information about the Chittenden Clinic, call 802-488-6450 or 802-488-6000.