2. What services are provided during treatment at STARS?
At STARS, we provide a range of comprehensive services throughout treatment. Depending on the treatment study, services could include weekly meetings with a therapist, regular psychiatric assessments, and medical/nursing evaluations. Many of our studies also offer medication, and our medical team closely monitors the physical health of our patients during treatment.

3. What can I expect during the initial evaluation?
During your first visit to STARS you will initially meet with a therapist to determine if you are eligible for one of our treatment research studies. You will be provided with details regarding our program, and the therapist will ask you for information designed to assess your drug use, mood, and general life functioning. We advise potential participants that the initial evaluation may take up to several hours, although we understand time constraints and we will arrange a return visit if needed. We encourage you to arrive at your appointment at the scheduled time. If you decided to not pursue treatment at STARS or you are not eligible for one our studies, the therapist will work with you to provide an appropriate referral.

4. How long will I be in treatment at STARS?
Our patients typically attend STARS for a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months, depending on the treatment study. For a more detailed explanation of the studies currently offered at STARS, please visit the treatment specific pages on this website.

5. Where can I find more information about participating in a treatment research study?
Please refer to the National Institutes of Health clinical trials website (www.clinicaltrials.gov) to learn more about participation in a treatment research study. If you have any additional questions, a STARS staff member will be happy to provide you with information during the initial evaluation or by phone.

6. Will my family members or friends know that I am seeking treatmentat STARS?
Confidentiality is an essential component of treatment at STARS. Our staff will not share information with your family members or others about your decision to attend the initial evaluation or participate in treatment. During the evaluation, you will be asked to sign consent forms and we will specficially ask for your permission to contact you in the future. A therapist will review with you in detail how we protect privacy of your personal information during treatment.

7. Do I need insurance to receive treatment at STARS?
There are no fees associated with receiving treatment at STARS at any time, thus no insurance is needed to determine eligibility. All of the services provided at STARS, including therapy, psychiatric assessments, and medical support are provided free of charge.

8. Does STARS offer compensation for travel expenses?
For each evaluation visit to STARS, you will be offered cash equal to the value of a round-trip by New York City public transportation. Compensation for travel also continues throughout the treatment process.

9. I work full time, can I still receive treatment at STARS?
At STARS, we offer morning, afternoon, and evening appointments for treatment. We attempt to accommodate a variety of schedules in an effort to provide needed support

10. Who provides the treatment at STARS?
A team of professionals, including psychiatrists, therapists, and medical staff provides the treatment at STARS. Our staff is highly trained and experienced in the treatment of substance use disorders. For more information about the STARS treatment team please refer to the Staff page on this website.