SUBSTANCE ABUSE ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT

The Health Department's Substance Abuse Service is the only publicly funded addictions, prevention and treatment program in Howard County that treats patients regardless of ability of pay. Services are provided at the Gateway Counseling Center for adults and adolescents. Assessment, individal, group, case management, and family services are offered. Evaluations are in our Centralized Evaluation Unit in Ellicott City. Specialized services include detoxification, groups for women, treatment for the dually diagnosed (mental illness and substance abuse), relapse prevention, referrals for in-patient treatment, and acupuncture. Fees for treatment are based on a sliding scale.

Levels of Care Provided for Adults and Adolecents

• Early Intervention - For people who may be at the beginning stages of problem drinking or drugging
• Outpatient - Weekly groups, and individual counseling are available for those with an identified drug or alcohol problem
• Intensive Outpatient - Support for patients needing daily help to stay clean and sober
• Ambulatory Detoxification - A choice for those who need the most care
• Halfway House - For adult men who have completed inpatient treatment

Services Offered

• Centralized evaluation unit
• Detention Center and Court evaluations
• FREE confidential screenings for adolescents confidentially referred through Howard County Public Schools' Student Assistance Programs (SAP)

Treatment Tailored to Individual Needs

We do not believe in the “one size fits all" approach, so our range of services includes:

• Help for co-occurring disorders /dual diagnosis (mental illness combined with substance abuse)
• Buprenorphine Detox and Maintenance
• Aftercare following residential treatment
• Separate adolescent and adult programs
• Gender-specific groups for those needing all-male or all-female treatment
• Special topic groups for teens including anger management, relationships, and vocational skills.

Directions to Health Department Clinics

The services and facilities of the Howard County Health Department are non-discriminatory. Our policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, and mental or physical disability. By state law, services are extended to adolescents without parental consent. The Howard County Health Department complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are given an opportunity to participate in and benefit from all services and programs. For more information about accessibility, call 410-313-6300.

Our certified program is staffed with State licensed counselors. We accept most insurance and Medical Assistance. Fees are based on a sliding scale. No one is refused services because of the inability to pay. All records are strictly confidential.

For more information, please call

410-313-6202 or toll free at
1-866-313-6300.

Or you may send an e-mail to: askhealth@howardcountymd.gov