Substance use & addictive behavior support
Receive a confidential assessment from a trained professional and referrals for treatment centers within your insurance plan.
"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step." -- Naeem Callaway
Are you, or is someone close to you, affected by substance use or other addictive behaviors?
MAP has trained professionals who offer confidential support and can provide specific recommendations for members and their family members, including referrals for treatment and other resources.
Please call 1‑212‑701‑9620, or email maprecovery [at] uft [dot] org (MAPrecovery[at]uft[dot]org) to arrange for a confidential conversation.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or 1‑866‑UFT‑FOR‑U (a free and confidential union mental health helpline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
"A little over a year ago, I met with you and you kindly and generously walked me through some of my options for treatments. You then helped me do intake at a facility, arranging the time and date of my stay.
When I came to the MAP office, I was terrified. I was afraid of losing my job and I was afraid of what it meant to go to rehab. Your calm disposition put me at ease. You made me feel respected and listened to. You were so welcoming and understanding. For my recovery, to have you on my side, for you to be one of the first people who helped me, it was exactly what I needed.
Today, I celebrate one year of sobriety.
Thank you so much for your professionalism and your humanity. You helped me get to where I am today."
- Member testimonial
A list of the most commonly asked questions.
The Member Assistance Program is committed to your well-being. Apart from offering short-term counseling services, MAP offers confidential support around addiction with a trained professional who can assess mental health and substance use issues and provide specific recommendations for your treatment. We can also help you understand your workplace rights and file for a confidential leave. MAP’s team of professional counselors can work with union members and their families who are suffering from addiction behaviors. Contact MAP at 212-701-9620 or via email at maprecovery [at] uft [dot] org (MAPrecovery[at]uft[dot]org).
Treatment varies depending on the addictive behavior being displayed. Recommendations for treatment are based on a thorough evaluation of the relationship you have with the substance(s)/behaviors you are engaging in. More intense treatment could involve going into an inpatient rehab facility for up to 28 days, where you will receive individual, group, and other forms of treatment such as recreational therapy, trauma therapy, or acupuncture. Less intense treatment may involve outpatient individual and group counseling.
Treatment for addictive behaviors typically entails group and individual therapy. There are also medications available, which can help with mental health symptoms or cravings. In group therapy, you will meet with others who are also struggling with addiction where you will learn strategies to manage what you’re experiencing and support each other. Groups are a crucial component of addiction treatment because it helps you to form a community in which you will hold each other accountable for the thoughts and feelings that can spiral into behaviors that increase the likelihood of relapse. Individual therapy is a way to have a more in-depth connection with one’s inner resources in maintaining sobriety.
Contact the UFT Member Assistance Program for further information.
Rehabilitation services (or “rehab”) are meant to help a patient reset some of the patterns that have led to the cycle of the addiction process. Rehab is where you stay at a facility for a set amount of time (up to 28 days, but can be shorter or longer), but it is also voluntary. Voluntary means that you go at will and if you decide to leave before the clinical recommendation, you may be able to do so. Outpatient treatment means you go to a local treatment center and participate in scheduled group and individual therapy. Outpatient treatment can be done during the night or even on weekends, which will allow you to continue engaging in your daily activities.
Contact the UFT Member Assistance Program for further information.
Drug detoxification, or detox, is sometimes the first step in a comprehensive rehabilitation program, depending on what substances you are using. Detox can prevent unpleasant or fatal consequences that can arise from sudden cessation of use. It is often done in an approved clinical setting, under the supervision of a medical professional who will provide medication or other supports to aid with some of the uncomfortable aspects of withdrawal (the aftermath of stopping a substance completely). Because suddenly stopping a drug is dangerous, detox is often recommended in a site that is medically appropriate to address both your psychological and physical needs.
Contact the UFT Member Assistance Program if you need further assistance.
Depending on the history of your use, it can be therapeutic to take a break from your everyday environment and go somewhere where you can focus on understanding the nature of your addiction and learn new coping strategies to deal with cravings and triggers. While inpatient rehab is typically recommended because it offers the most comprehensive support, there are outpatient and short-term inpatient programs that can provide less disruption to your everyday life. The Member Assistance Program has vetted and established relationships with several treatment facilities that can offer you the support you are looking for.