Q: What is Samadhi?
Samadhi Center Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Ulster County with a mission to end suffering from addiction, mental illness, and homelessness through person-centered, trauma-informed, and compassionate supportive services. Samadhi’s philosophy revolves around our use of Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs), individuals with lived experience of addiction and mental health issues, to support individuals through all stages of their recovery. Samadhi’s long-term mission is to establish a complete continuum of care that starts with our direct street outreach, calls to our 24/7 hotline, and walk-ins to our Recovery Community Outreach Center, and eventually leads to our outpatient treatment services, long-term peer support, supportive housing, and the fostering of purpose through employment and education.

Q: When was the Samadhi Center established?
Our community-based outreach center opened its doors in April 2019, dedicated to providing holistic care and support to those in need.

Q: What treatment modalities does Samadhi Center offer?
Samadhi Center offers a range of treatment modalities, including Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP), Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Somatic Experiencing. These evidence-based practices are designed to meet individuals where they are in their recovery journey and provide holistic treatment.

Q: How effective are mindfulness-based therapies in treating addiction?
Mindfulness-based therapies have shown promising results in recent studies, with research indicating efficacy in reducing addictive behaviors and increasing awareness of triggers and stressors. Studies by Bissel Van der Kolk (2006), Bowen et al. (2009), Brewer et al. (2009), and Marlatt & Gordon (1985) have demonstrated the effectiveness of mindfulness training in decreasing psychological and physiological responses to stress and cravings. These harm reduction therapies have been adopted by the Federal government, Congress, and New York State Senators because they work and save lives.

Q: What sets Samadhi Center apart from other recovery programs?
Samadhi Center’s approach emphasizes mindfulness, compassion, and strength-based interventions. We prioritize building on individuals’ inherent strengths and capacities for healing, fostering self-compassion and resilience in the recovery process. Our non-judgmental and compassionate environment encourages clients to approach their experiences with kindness and acceptance, reducing shame and self-blame often associated with addiction.

What also sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to addressing the root causes of addiction, namely trauma. By treating trauma, we treat the addiction. Moreover, our dedication extends beyond the walls of our center as we help individuals make it to important appointments such as medical or court appointments. Twice a day, we deliver food to those in need under the Elmendorf Bridge. Our unique approach fosters not only recovery but also community engagement, with many of our patients becoming volunteers, giving back to the cause and the community that supported them on their journey to recovery. We also work very closely with the NY Department of Mental Health and Sheriff’s Department.

Q: How can individuals access services at Samadhi Center?
Individuals can access services at Samadhi Center by contacting our outreach center directly or through referrals from healthcare providers, community organizations, or family members. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and stages of recovery, providing support tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.

Q: What is Samadhi’s Model?
The Samadhi model consists of 3-parts:

Samadhi Outreach Center: Samadhi’s Recovery Community Outreach Center on 150 Sawkill Rd is open 8AM-9PM, seven days a week, and is a central hub for Samadhi’s CRPAs. This is also the headquarters for our 24/7 Street Outreach team. All the services at Samadhi’s Outreach Center of free of charge and include over 20 weekly recovery-based groups, free therapy through a partnership with Maverick Psychotherapy, free peer services from over twenty CRPAs, assistance with social services and other programs, Narcan and harm reduction supply distribution, transportation to MAT and medical appointments, and linkages to inpatient and outpatient treatment services.

Samadhi Refuge Emergency Housing: Samadhi Refuge is an emergency housing program located in Saugerties NY that provides peer-supported emergency and self-pay housing for individuals facing homelessness. Samadhi Center works closely with the Department of Social Services to provide housing for individuals with opioid use disorder that otherwise may have difficulty locating housing. The building has a total of 28 individual rooms each with a private bathroom, four kitchen and living room areas, a commercial laundry room, and an additional shared space between each of the four wings for weekly dinners with staff. The building is staffed 24/7 with Certified Recovery Peer Advocates that perform supportive services, address and help to resolve conflicts, assist with social services compliance, provide transportation to MAT and treatment services, and support individuals in their recovery. Since opening Refuge in December 2022, Samadhi has kept the building above 95% occupancy and our waiting list consists of several dozen people.

Samadhi Outpatient Clinic And Mobile Outpatient Client: The Samadhi Outpatient Clinic is an OASAS Part 822 outpatient treatment clinic located at 368 Broadway, Suite 202 and 204. Samadhi Outpatient provides substance use treatment for over ninety individuals and is currently in the process of expanding to meet additional demand. Our outpatient treatment facility is the only “Trauma-Based” Addiction Treatment program in Ulster County and the greater Hudson Valley. Samadhi’s outpatient clinic has five experienced clinicians that provide individual and group treatment while utilizing evidence-based trauma-informed care, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and Meditation Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR). Our Spanish speaking CASAC, Dora Ines Grosso, offers the only Spanish language-based treatment program in Ulster County for our clients and provides treatment for Spanish-speaking individuals in their native language. Samadhi’s Outpatient Clinic is a nonprofit organization and accepts clients that are not US citizens, are uninsured, or do not have the ability to pay. Samadhi’s outpatient clinic is the only program in Ulster County that offers these programs for individuals that are not citizens of the U.S. and individuals that do not have insurance.

Q: Does Samadhi have any development plans for the future to improve the organization?
Yes. Expanded street outreach program • 2nd recovery housing project • Mobile Outreach center • Mobile Outpatient Clinic • Outpatient 816 detox center

Q: Does Samadhi encourage drug-use?
No, Samadhi does not encourage use of any illegal drugs. Samadhi acknowledges that drug use is happening all throughout Ulster County, in every community. If you are going to use drugs we want you to do it safely. Samadhi provides evidence-based strategies to reduce harm to those who may currently be using drugs. Harm reduction is used to decrease negative consequences of drug use without requiring abstinence, recognizing that those unable or unwilling to stop can still make positive changes to protect themselves and others. The Samadhi Street Outreach Team primarily serves deeply marginalized and stigmatized people who are often disconnected from traditional services. As such, Samadhi Street Outreach services are a necessary part of a comprehensive solution to the overdose crisis and to improving the overall health and wellbeing of our greater community.