Harlem East Life Plan (HELP) Outpatient Methadone Clinic/KEEP

About

About Harlem East Life Plan (HELP) Outpatient Methadone Clinic/KEEP

Harlem East Life Plan (HELP) Outpatient Methadone Clinic/KEEP is located at 2369 2nd Ave in East Harlem, New York, serving adults in New York County who are managing opioid use disorder and co-occurring substance use or mental health conditions. The facility operates under licensing from the New York State Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports — a triple-agency credential that reflects the breadth of conditions treated on site. CARF accreditation further underscores the clinic’s commitment to quality standards in outpatient addiction care.

HELP offers outpatient services, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and ambulatory detoxification — the core levels of care that allow individuals to manage opioid withdrawal and maintain stability without inpatient admission. Methadone treatment is the clinical centerpiece of the program, delivered through a structured outpatient model with clinic hours beginning at 6 AM on weekdays to accommodate patients’ schedules. Saturday hours (7:30 AM–12:30 PM) extend access through the weekend, though the clinic is closed on Sundays.

The treatment approach integrates harm reduction principles, trauma-informed care, group counseling, and case management alongside the medical component of MAT. On-site primary care services and infectious disease screening and treatment address the broader health needs that frequently accompany opioid use disorder — a practical feature that distinguishes HELP from clinics focused solely on medication dispensing. The clinical team includes two Medical Directors — Fernando Borrego, MD, and Hamid Moussavian, MD (Psychiatrist) — along with licensed clinical directors holding credentials in social work and addiction counseling.

HELP serves adults dealing with opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health disorders. For individuals and families in East Harlem seeking a CARF-accredited outpatient methadone program with integrated medical and psychiatric support, HELP provides a structured, medically supervised ambulatory option staffed by credentialed clinicians and physicians.

CARF-accredited outpatient methadone clinic licensed by three New York State agencies: DOH, OMH, and OASAS
Ambulatory detoxification available — structured withdrawal management without inpatient admission
Dual Medical Directors including an on-site psychiatrist for co-occurring mental health and opioid use disorder
Integrated primary care and infectious disease screening on site — not just medication dispensing
Early morning hours starting at 6 AM weekdays, with Saturday availability, built around patients' daily schedules

Treatment

What this center treats and how

Levels of care: Outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment Ambulatory Detoxification
Conditions: Opioid Use Disorder Substance Use Disorders Mental Health Disorders Co-Occurring Disorders
Methods: Group Counseling Medication-Assisted Treatment Methadone Treatment Harm Reduction Trauma-Informed Care Case Management
Populations: Adults
Facility: Primary care services Infectious disease screening and treatment

Location

Where it is

2369 2nd AveNew York 10035 Get directions

Ambulatory Detoxification and Medication-Assisted Treatment in East Harlem

Harlem East Life Plan (HELP) provides ambulatory detoxification and outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment for adults in East Harlem and greater New York County managing opioid use disorder. Ambulatory detox allows patients to go through medically supervised withdrawal management in an outpatient setting, avoiding the need for an inpatient stay while still receiving clinical oversight and medication support.

Methadone treatment is the primary medication protocol at HELP, administered through a structured outpatient model. The clinic's early start time — 6 AM Monday through Friday — reflects its design around the real-world constraints of patients maintaining work, family, and daily obligations during treatment. This format gives individuals access to a consistent, physician-supervised MAT program without the disruption of residential placement.

Integrated Medical Care Alongside Addiction Treatment

One distinguishing feature of HELP is the integration of primary care services and infectious disease screening and treatment directly within the clinic. Opioid use disorder frequently co-occurs with other medical conditions, and having these services on site means patients can address broader health concerns without navigating separate providers and referrals.

The clinical team includes two Medical Directors — Fernando Borrego, MD, handling general medical oversight, and Hamid Moussavian, MD, a psychiatrist — giving the program capacity to treat co-occurring mental health disorders alongside opioid use disorder. Licensed clinical directors with credentials in social work and addiction counseling manage the therapeutic side of care, which includes group counseling, case management, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practices.

Accreditation and Licensing

HELP holds CARF accreditation and operates under licenses from three distinct New York State regulatory bodies: the Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This multi-agency licensing structure reflects the range of conditions treated at the clinic — opioid use disorder, broader substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and co-occurring diagnoses.

For individuals and families evaluating outpatient methadone programs in New York City, this level of regulatory oversight provides a concrete quality benchmark. CARF accreditation in particular involves independent review of program standards and patient outcomes, offering an external measure of accountability beyond state licensure alone.

Who HELP Serves

HELP's outpatient methadone clinic is designed for adults — specifically those dealing with opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions. The combination of MAT, psychiatric support, group counseling, case management, and harm reduction creates a comprehensive outpatient framework rather than a medication-only program.

Located at 2369 2nd Ave in East Harlem, the clinic is accessible to residents of New York County seeking structured, physician-supervised opioid treatment without inpatient admission. Adults who need daily methadone dosing, ambulatory detox support, or integrated behavioral health services can contact HELP at (212) 876-2300 or by email at info@HELPMedical.org.

Cost & Credentials

What's covered and who vouches for it

Accreditations: CARF Licensed by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports

Common questions

FAQs About Harlem East Life Plan (HELP) Outpatient Methadone Clinic/KEEP

Does HELP offer ambulatory detoxification for opioid use disorder? +

Yes. Ambulatory detoxification is one of the confirmed levels of care at Harlem East Life Plan. This allows adults to receive medically supervised withdrawal support in an outpatient setting without requiring an inpatient or residential stay. The clinic's MAT program, centered on methadone treatment, supports this process under physician oversight.

What type of Medication-Assisted Treatment does HELP provide? +

HELP provides Medication-Assisted Treatment using methadone, delivered through a structured outpatient clinic model. Methadone treatment is the clinical centerpiece of the program. Two Medical Directors — including a psychiatrist — oversee the medical components of care.

Is HELP accredited or licensed? +

Yes. HELP holds CARF accreditation and is licensed by the New York State Department of Health, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This multi-agency licensing reflects the range of conditions the clinic treats, including co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

What conditions does HELP treat? +

HELP treats adults with opioid use disorder, substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders. The clinic's on-site psychiatric Medical Director and licensed clinical staff are equipped to address mental health conditions alongside addiction treatment.

What are HELP's clinic hours? +

The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 6 PM and on Saturday from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The clinic is closed on Sundays. Early weekday hours are designed to accommodate patients managing work and family responsibilities during treatment.

Does HELP offer primary care or medical services beyond addiction treatment? +

Yes. HELP provides on-site primary care services and infectious disease screening and treatment. These services are integrated within the outpatient clinic, allowing patients to address related medical needs without being referred to entirely separate providers.

Who is on HELP's clinical and medical staff? +

HELP's medical team includes Fernando Borrego, MD, who serves as a Medical Director and Physician, and Hamid Moussavian, MD, who serves as Medical Director and Psychiatrist. Clinical directors include Iyana Lomas (LMSW) and Marian Shafir (Advanced CASAC, MFT). The leadership team includes professionals with backgrounds in law, administration, and clinical services.

Does HELP treat co-occurring mental health disorders? +

Yes. Co-occurring mental health disorders and co-occurring disorders are explicitly listed among the conditions treated at HELP. The presence of an on-site psychiatrist as Medical Director and the use of trauma-informed care are clinical resources that support patients managing both addiction and mental health conditions.

Where is the HELP outpatient methadone clinic located? +

The clinic is located at 2369 2nd Ave in East Harlem, New York, 10035. It serves adults in East Harlem and New York County. The facility can be reached by phone at (212) 876-2300 or by email at info@HELPMedical.org.

Is HELP's program only for medication, or does it include counseling and support services? +

HELP's program includes group counseling, case management, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care alongside methadone treatment and MAT. This outpatient model combines medical and therapeutic components, rather than functioning solely as a medication dispensing site.