Does Insurance Cover ACRA & CRAFT in Brooklyn? A Guide for Families Seeking Support

By the LSA Recovery editorial team

What Are ACRA & CRAFT? A Family-Focused Path to Support

If you are a family member or caregiver of someone struggling with substance use, you may feel unsure about how to help. ACRA (Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach) and CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) are two evidence-based programs designed to support families like yours. Backed by organizations such as SAMHSA, they focus on building communication, positive reinforcement, and self-care, without blame or confrontation. These approaches do not require your loved one to be ready for treatment. Instead, they give you practical tools to encourage change while taking care of yourself.

ACRA is tailored for adolescents and young adults, using a strengths-based approach to help them build a life they enjoy without substances. CRAFT is for families of adults, teaching skills to reduce conflict, improve relationships, and gently motivate a loved one toward recovery. Both programs are non-judgmental and meet you where you are. At LSA Recovery, we offer ACRA and CRAFT as part of our commitment to compassionate care, alongside other family support services like our ACS (Family Support) program and Individual, Family & Group Counseling. Our philosophy is rooted in respect, hope, and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone.

These programs are not about forcing change, they are about creating a supportive environment where change can happen naturally. If you are curious about how ACRA or CRAFT could fit into your family’s journey, we are here to help. You can start by reaching out for a Substance Use Assessment, which helps us understand your unique situation and connect you with the right support.

Signs That Family Support Programs Could Make a Difference

It can be hard to know when it’s time to reach out for help as a family member. You might notice that your loved one’s substance use is causing more tension at home, or that you feel exhausted from trying to manage things on your own. Maybe you’ve been avoiding certain topics or pulling away from friends because you don’t know what to say. These are all signs that family support programs, like ACRA and CRAFT, could make a real difference. They are designed to help you learn new ways to communicate, set healthy boundaries, and encourage your loved one’s recovery, without requiring them to be ready for treatment first.

Here are some common signs that family support may be a good fit for you:

• You feel stuck or unsure how to respond to your loved one’s substance use, and you want practical tools to help.
• Your own well-being is suffering, perhaps you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or isolated from others.
• You want to improve your relationship but are unsure how to start a conversation about their use.
• You’ve tried different approaches (like nagging, pleading, or giving ultimatums) and they haven’t worked.
• You’re concerned about safety at home and want to learn harm reduction strategies like how to use naloxone in an emergency, our Naloxone Training and Kits program can help with that.
• You’re interested in a program that focuses on your family’s strengths rather than blame, honoring your efforts and building on what’s already working.

What Does Treatment with ACRA or CRAFT Look Like?

If you are a family member or caregiver who has been feeling lost, ACRA and CRAFT offer a clear, supportive path forward. The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA) is designed for families of teens and young adults (ages 12–24) who are struggling with substance use. It focuses on building motivation and teaching new skills through a mix of individual sessions with the teen, family sessions, and sometimes group support. The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) program is for families of adults who may not be ready to seek treatment themselves. In CRAFT, you learn practical ways to communicate, set boundaries, and encourage positive changes, all without blame or pressure. Both are evidence-based, meaning research shows they help families reconnect and improve outcomes, and they are offered right here at LSA Recovery in Brooklyn.

When you begin ACRA or CRAFT at LSA Recovery, the first step is usually a Substance Use Assessment. This is a friendly, private conversation where our care team learns about your family’s unique situation and goals. From there, we create a plan that fits your life. Sessions are typically held weekly or every other week, often in our office or via telehealth, and they focus on real, practical tools, like how to reward positive behaviors, how to handle conflict without fighting, and how to take care of yourself while supporting your loved one. Many families find that these programs connect well with other services we offer, such as Individual, Family & Group Counseling, which can deepen the healing. And because we know life gets busy, we offer Same-Day Appointment options to help you start as soon as you feel ready.

Throughout the process, you are never alone. Our Care Management team is here to help with any barriers, whether that’s coordinating with a school, a court, or another agency like ACS (Family Support). We work alongside you to make sure the program fits into your family’s schedule and budget. Because ACRA and CRAFT are backed by organizations like SAMHSA, they are often covered by insurance, including Medicaid and many private plans. If you have questions about how to pay, we can help you check your benefits before you start. The goal is always to remove obstacles so you can focus on what matters most: strengthening your family and finding hope.

• ACRA: For families of teens/young adults (ages 12–24) – includes individual and family sessions focused on building skills and motivation.
• CRAFT: For families of adults who are not yet ready for treatment – teaches communication, boundary-setting, and positive reinforcement.
• Both start with a Substance Use Assessment to create a personalized plan, and are often paired with other services like Individual, Family & Group Counseling or Care Management.
• Sessions are flexible, available in-person or via telehealth, and Same-Day Appointment options can help you begin quickly.

Does Insurance Cover ACRA & CRAFT in Brooklyn? What You Need to Know

If you are a family member or caregiver looking for support through ACRA or CRAFT, you might be wondering whether your health insurance will cover these programs. In New York State, many insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance, often cover evidence-based family therapies like ACRA and CRAFT. At LSA Recovery, we believe that financial worries should never stand in the way of getting the help your family deserves. That’s why our Care Management team works closely with you to verify your benefits before you start, so you know exactly what to expect. We also offer a Same-Day Appointment option to begin the process quickly, and if you don’t have insurance, we can talk about sliding-scale options and other resources. Your first step is simply reaching out, we can help you navigate everything from there.

Our approach is rooted in the belief that families are a crucial part of recovery, which is why ACRA and CRAFT focus on empowering you with practical tools to support your loved one, even if they aren’t ready to seek help yet. These programs are designed to be non-judgmental and flexible, meeting you where you are. To get started, you can contact us to schedule a Substance Use Assessment, which helps us understand your family’s unique situation and match you with the right services. Depending on your needs, we may also connect you with other supports like Individual, Family & Group Counseling, our ACS (Family Support) program, or even Medication-Assisted Treatment if your loved one is ready. Every family’s path is different, and we’re here to walk it with you.

We also encourage you to explore more about Our Philosophy and what makes LSA Recovery different. Our team is dedicated to removing barriers, whether they are financial, emotional, or logistical. Insurance coverage for ACRA and CRAFT can often be straightforward, but we know that terms like “deductible” and “copay” can be confusing. That’s okay, our staff will explain everything in plain language and help you understand your options. You are not alone in this. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and we are ready to help your family find hope and healing.

How to Verify Your Coverage and Begin Care at LSA Recovery

Once you’re ready to take the next step, verifying your insurance coverage is simple. At LSA Recovery, we accept a wide range of plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance. We also offer a sliding-scale fee option for those who qualify, so cost is never a barrier to getting the support your family deserves.

The first step is to contact us to start the insurance verification process. Our Care Management team will work with your insurance company to find out exactly what’s covered under your plan, including any copays or deductibles. You don’t need to have all the answers or even know your insurance details, we’ll guide you through it. We also offer Same-Day Appointment options and a Substance Use Assessment to help us understand your family’s unique situation and recommend the best path forward, whether that’s ACRA, CRAFT, or another service like Individual Counseling or our ACS (Family Support) program.

Once your coverage is verified, we’ll schedule your first session quickly. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and we’re here to make the process as smooth and welcoming as possible. You can learn more about our approach on our About Us page, or simply call or visit our Contact Us page to get started today.

• Call our office or visit our Contact Us page to begin insurance verification.
• Our Care Management team will check your plan’s coverage for ACRA, CRAFT, and other services.
• We’ll arrange a Same-Day Appointment and a Substance Use Assessment if needed.
• Once verified, we’ll start your family’s journey with a warm, non-judgmental first session.

More Ways Our Care Team Supports Families Like Yours

Beyond ACRA and CRAFT, our care team offers a full range of services designed to meet your family where you are. We know that every family’s situation is different, and we are here to help you find the right path forward, whether that means starting with a Substance Use Assessment to understand what kind of support your loved one might need, or connecting with our Care Management team to coordinate appointments, insurance questions, and referrals to other programs. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on what matters most: your family’s well-being.

For families who are also navigating other challenges, we offer programs that can fit alongside ACRA and CRAFT. For example, our Individual, Family & Group Counseling provides a space for everyone in the family to talk through their experiences, while our MICA Program offers specialized support for those who are dealing with both substance use and mental health concerns. If your loved one is involved with the legal system, our Criminal Justice Counseling program can help coordinate care with probation or court requirements. And if you are working with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), our ACS (Family Support) program is designed to help families meet those expectations while building a stronger, healthier home environment.

We also believe that education and practical skills are key to long-term recovery. Our Substance Abuse Education groups and Health Education Groups give families a chance to learn more about substance use and how to support a loved one without judgment. For those who want to be prepared for emergencies, we offer Naloxone Training and Kits as part of our harm-reduction approach. And if your family member is ready to take steps toward rebuilding their life, our Vocational & Educational Rehabilitation program can help with job training, school enrollment, and other goals. Every part of our care is built on the same warm, non-judgmental philosophy, because we believe that recovery is possible, and that families are an essential part of that journey.

Building a Stronger Foundation for Lasting Recovery Together

Recovery isn’t something anyone has to face alone, and that includes the people who love someone struggling with substance use. ACRA and CRAFT are built on the idea that families can be a powerful source of support, even when their loved one isn’t ready to start treatment. Insurance coverage for these programs is more common than many families realize. Whether you have Medicaid, Medicare, or a private plan, our team at LSA Recovery can help you understand your benefits and remove the financial worry so you can focus on connection and healing.

Getting started doesn’t have to be complicated. Our Care Management team can walk you through the insurance verification process step by step, and a Substance Use Assessment can help identify the right level of support for your family. We also offer Same-Day Appointment options so you don’t have to wait for help. Every call is a step toward a stronger foundation, for your loved one, for you, and for your entire family.

If you’re ready to learn more about how ACRA and CRAFT can fit into your family’s life, and how insurance can help make it possible, we’re here to listen. Reaching out is a sign of strength, and treatment works. To get started, simply Contact Us or read more about Our Philosophy. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

More Ways We Can Help

• ACRA & CRAFT
• Crisis Management
• HIV/AIDS Education
• DWI Program

Sources

• SAMHSA: Families
• NIAAA: Core Resource on Alcohol