About
About Friends of Bridge Inc
Friends of Bridge, Inc. is a community-based outpatient chemical dependency treatment center located at 5 Pflug Place in Valley Stream, New York. Licensed by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the agency has served Nassau County and Long Island for more than five decades, supporting individuals, families, and significant others whose lives have been affected by substance use disorders.
The program is purely outpatient and offers flexible day and evening tracks designed to fit around school, work, and family responsibilities. Distinct programming serves adolescents, adults, and individuals with alcohol dependency, along with a Significant Other Program for partners and family members. Medication-Assisted Treatment is available as a stand-alone service track for clients whose treatment plans benefit from medications such as buprenorphine, naltrexone, or related pharmacotherapies, with eligibility determined through a medical evaluation by the program’s Medical Director.
Clinical work blends cognitive behavioral therapy, individual and group counseling, peer counseling, and relapse prevention education. Friends of Bridge accepts Medicaid, Managed Medicaid, and primary insurance plans, with sliding scale fees available for individuals with lower incomes. The agency’s longstanding commitment is that no one is turned away due to inability to pay.
Led by Executive Director Jim Wyler (LMHC, NCC, CASAC) and Medical Director Dr. Stuart Wasser, the team includes counselors and clinical staff who provide person-centered care for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. For families on Long Island seeking accessible, licensed outpatient addiction care without barriers to entry, Friends of Bridge offers a long-established, mission-driven option.
- Operating since 1970 with established medical detox protocols and withdrawal management expertise
- Medical Director Dr. Stuart Wasser, MD provides physician-supervised detox services
- Dual diagnosis specialization treating co-occurring mental health disorders during detox
- Flexible scheduling with evening hours until 9 PM on Monday and Wednesday
- No patient turned away policy with sliding scale payments and financial assistance