Substance Use Services
AMHC offers treatment, recovery, and CCBHC Care Coordination services for individuals, families, and affected others, including co-occurring mental health. Substance use disorder is a disease that creates significant health issues and impairs one's ability to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home due to recurrent alcohol or drug use. This disease often coincides with other mental health conditions, complicating treatment. If struggling with substance use, seeking treatment is essential. AMHC offers services across Aroostook, Hancock, and Washington counties at multiple locations.
Care Coordination (CCBHC)
Care Coordination is a person-centered service that helps individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system. At AMHC, our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Care Coordinators work closely with you, your family, and your providers to ensure that your care is organized, your goals are clear, and no one feels alone in their journey. Whether you are managing mental health concerns, substance use challenges, or both, we offer tailored support, consistent communication, and connections to resources across Aroostook, Hancock, and Washington counties.
Our Care Coordinators Help You:
- Create a personalized care plan based on your goals
- Schedule appointments and follow-ups
- Coordinate care across providers and settings
- Support transitions, such as after hospitalization
- Connect you with housing, transportation, and peer support
- Prevent gaps in care and reduce duplication of services
- Monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed
More about CCBHC Care Coordination
OPTIONS
OPTIONS (Overdose Prevention through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone & Safety) liaisons focus on overdose prevention and help community members get connected to substance use treatment & recovery services. Whether you are looking for naloxone, curious about Maine’s new Good Samaritan Law, or you’re not sure what services are right for you or a loved one, OPTIONS liaisons offer judgment-free guidance. As substance use professionals, liaisons are plugged into a network of local resources for harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, as well as other services.
OPTIONS Liaisons by County
This list will be updated as more Liaisons come on board for each Maine county. In the case of an immediate medical emergency, such as an overdose, call 911.
Direct Referral Form
A direct referral can be made by filling out and submitting a referral form.
Substance Use Outpatient
Services are provided in Fort Kent, Madawaska, Caribou, Presque Isle, Houlton, Calais, Machias, and Ellsworth including individual and group counseling, intensive outpatient (IOP), co-occurring substance use and mental health treatment, rapid access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD)/medicated assisted management (MAT), case management, peer recovery, nursing support, and Driver Education and Evaluation Program (DEEP). A focus on holistic support, integrating treatment, counseling, and care management for substance use and related issues.
Assessment for Substance Use Disorder
When an individual comes to AMHC for treatment, an initial assessment will be done to identify the most appropriate level of care. AMHC follows the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) model that supports assessing what stage of interest an individual is ready to enter substance use treatment services. This allows the counselor to develop treatment plans that align with what the individual seeks to change in their life.
Individual & Family Counseling
Clients learn and practice recovery strategies, build interpersonal skills, and reinforce and develop social support networks. Family members learn what their role can be to support recovery.
Intensive Group Counseling
Some individuals require a higher level of outpatient services, which allow for up to nine hours of group treatment per week, as opposed to the traditional one hour of individual treatment per week. These group services are recognized as one of the most effective interventions, second only to residential treatment, for individuals who must remain in the community to maintain their employment or meet family needs, such as childcare.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Treatment Counseling
The presence of both a substance use disorder and mental illness is common. Integrating both screening and treatment for mental and substance use disorders leads to a better quality of care and health outcomes for those living with co-occurring disorders by treating the whole person.
MOUD/MAT
AMHC offers rapid access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD)/medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MOUD/MAT is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral health therapies, to provide an integrated behavioral health “whole patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.
Driver Education & Evaluation Program (DEEP)
DEEP provides effective, efficient, and meaningful interventions, including education, treatment, and counseling services. The goal of the program is to reduce the incidence of injury, disability, and fatality that result from alcohol and other drug-related motor vehicle crashes, and to reduce the risk of re-offense for OUI.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A voluntary, work-based program offered by employers and includes free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees and their families who have personal and/or work-related problems.
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
A program offered to schools for their students’ confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to students and their families who have personal and/or school-related problems. School systems can contract for specific behavioral health services to meet the unique needs of their students.
Downeast Treatment Center (DTC)
Service available in Hancock County. Located at 70 Kingsland Crossing in Ellsworth, DTC is co-located with AMHC Ellsworth Outpatient for improved accessibility. Operating on a "hub and spoke" model, the DTC provides a full-service Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)/Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program that utilizes buprenorphine medical management, behavioral therapy, and peer/nursing supports. DTC collaborates closely with primary care providers and offers ongoing MAT and robust recovery support. Open in 2018, DTC is a result of work by the Downeast Treatment Substance Network (DSTN), a partnership of organizations and community members in Downeast, Maine.
- For more information and referrals, please call 207-667-6890.
Residential Treatment Facility (RTF)
AMHC's Residential Treatment Facility (RTF), located at 176 Academy Street in Presque Isle, is an intensive, structured care facility offering 30–45-day, 24/7 treatment. The program involves daily individual and group therapy, Sunday family treatment sessions, weekly coordination meetings with community providers, and skill-building activities crucial for daily recovery. The expansion of the facility will increase bed capacity from 12 to 18, enabling more individuals to access this comprehensive treatment.
The program includes seven hours of group treatment daily, covering a variety of topics on substance use disorder, recovery enhancement, and relapse prevention, as well as weekly Family Group sessions. Local recovery communities, including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, have on-site weekly and monthly meetings, allowing clients to learn about these supportive resources.
RTF clients are removed from the daily distractions of television and all electronics. Their days are filled with therapeutic group services, bibliotherapy (the art of using books to aid people in solving the issues they are facing), and therapeutic journaling. Residents are assigned chores to help them understand the importance of attending to the responsibilities of daily living. In addition, clients are encouraged to exercise daily.
For more information and referrals, please call 207-325-4727, Monday - Friday. After hours and weekends, please contact the AMHC 24/7 Call Center at 1-800-244-6431.
Treatment Recovery Court
Services are available in Hancock and Washington counties. AMHC provides substance use and co-occurring mental health treatment services for Washington and Hancock County treatment recovery courts.
Recovery Support Centers
Our mission is to spread a message of hope throughout the communities we serve. We aim to provide support, education, and resources for those recovering from and affected by substance use disorder.
All center services are FREE. Peer support centers are staffed by individuals who are in long-term recovery and now assist others facing similar circumstances. They help individuals become and stay engaged in the recovery process, thereby reducing the likelihood of reoccurrence or return to use through mutual understanding, respect, and empowerment. Each center takes part in the following:
Promoting Harm Reduction Principles
Harm reduction aims to prevent overdose, reduce disease transmission, and enhance overall well-being while providing access to treatment and healthcare services. Our peer centers support the following harm reduction principles:
- There are many pathways to recovery.
- Focus on reducing risks and meeting people where they are.
- Advocate for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies.
- Recognize human rights.
- Involve people who use substances in decisions that affect their lives.
- Address stigma and provide education and support.
Naloxone Training & Distribution
Naloxone trainings are conducted in person or virtually. This training covers overdose signs and symptoms, how naloxone works, and how to use it. Naloxone kits are available onsite or by delivery. Training and distribution are free and available to anyone in the community.
Recovery Coaching
Peer recovery coaches walk side by side with individuals seeking recovery from substance use disorders. They help people to create a recovery plan and develop their own recovery pathways. Recovery plans and other supports are customized and built on each individual’s strengths, needs, and recovery goals.
One-on-One Peer & Group Advising
Establishing connections to community resources that promote health and wellness, as well as facilitating access to recovery community supports, activities, and events for additional assistance.
More About Our Services
All services are completely free! Our centers welcome individuals who are interested in learning more about how to support themselves, a loved one, or an employee.
- All pathways to recovery are supported at our centers.
- Recovery coach matching service.
- Developing recovery action goals and plans.
- Support to find other prevention, treatment, and recovery resources.
- Help to access housing, food, and clothing.
- Guidance on employment preparation and opportunities.
- Referral support and information to other resources.
- Assistance with filling out applications for jobs, MaineCare, etc.
- Recovery meetings are held throughout the month—follow us on Facebook for more info!
Roads to Recovery
1 Water Street, Caribou
207-493-1278
Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope
106 Main St, Suite 13, Houlton
207-254-2213
Downeast Recovery Support Center
311 Main Street, Calais
207-952-9279
Downeast Recovery Support Center
11 Free Street, Machias
207-259-6238
Share Facts Save Lives (SFSL)
Share Facts Save Lives aims to provide a central platform for reliable, current substance use disorder information and resources focused on distributing harm reduction facts, prevention methods, treatment resources, recovery support, and ending stigma. The foundation of Share Facts Save Lives is the belief that through education comes an end to stigma and a path towards recovery.
- The Share Facts Save Lives website and media campaign is a result of a local consortium of stakeholders who have come together to support substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts in Aroostook County. Special thanks to AMHC, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, Houlton Regional Hospital, Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, Mi’kmaq Health Center, Northern Maine Medical Center, and several individuals in recovery. Consortium efforts, including Share Facts Save Lives was supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #GA1RH42873‐01‐00. The information, conclusions, and opinions expressed in this product are those of the authors, and no endorsement by FORHP, HRSA, or HHS is intended or should be inferred.
Confidential Helplines
Discover essential support services tailored to your needs. From crisis helplines to behavioral health resources and youth assistance, find the guidance you seek. Access confidential and free help today!
988 Helpline
The Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
OPTIONS Maine
Contact your local OPTIONS liaison for guidance on naloxone, Maine's Good Samaritan Law, or suitable substance use disorder (SUD) services for yourself or a loved one.
NAMI Teen Support Line
Free, confidential support for youth aged 13-23, staffed by trained specialists aged 18-24, available daily from 2 pm to 10 pm EST.