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Who We Are


Our Mission Statement:
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services transforms lives and the community with flexible and inclusive person-centered treatment.

Our Vision Statement:
We will build a stronger community through innovative addiction recovery services.

Our Values:
Belonging, Transparency, and Kindness.

Founded in 1972, C.A.R.S. offers Outpatient, Opioid Treatment Program, and Residential Rehabilitation services. Operating under the regulatory guidance of NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), C.A.R.S. provides its clients evidence-based, holistic clinical programming supported with a range of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) options.

Guided by a Board of Directors, C.A.R.S. is currently pursuing affiliation with Cayuga Health System of Tompkins, Cortland, and Schuyler Counties.  

our Services

Helping you achieve better quality of life

Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services offers comprehensive longer-term residential treatment for men at the 60-bed Residential Addiction Recovery Center in Trumansburg.

At this comfortable facility, patients gain the skills they need to resist cravings, cope with difficult times, and fight addiction. Each patient has access to expert clinical services like cognitive behavioral therapy, individual counseling, family counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and more.

Person riding her bike at CARS

Patients can also take advantage of the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) in Ithaca, New York. This program provides intensive support, including individual and group therapy as well as medication-assisted treatment. Participants live at home, but spend a part of their day at the center receiving care.

As patients move forward in recovery and return to a normal schedule, they can still incorporate outpatient services like individual or group counseling into their week. These services provide a touchstone of strength so patients can maintain sobriety and be prepared to face challenges.

Each individualized treatment plan may include some or all of these services with the goal of helping patients and families enjoy better emotional, mental, and physical health. With the right emotional skills and support system, patients can achieve long-term abstinence and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Chef at CARS
Inside the CARS facility
our Values

Holistic Treatment

Our goal is to see the rate of relapse decrease and have the data to support it. We do that by offering cutting-edge services to help those with substance use disorder and adequately preparing them for success after they no longer receive our services.

We believe in a holistic approach to treatment, giving our community the spectrum of support they need to realize their potential and lead fulfilling lives. That means assisting them with education and employment services to lower the rate of relapse, and creating a strong family unit or support network for ongoing positive reinforcement.

our Team

Experienced and Passionate

Administrative Staff

Interim Executive
Interim executive
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500
Email:
info@carsny.org
Melanie Coleman
Operations and fiscal coordinator
Office Phone Number: 
607-391-1045
Email:
mcoleman@carsny.org
Lydia Wickham, SHRM-CSP
Operations Support services
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500 EXT. 1022
Email:
lwickham@carsny.org
Business Office Manager
BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500-EXT.-1045
Email:
mcoleman@carsny.org
Cherie Matthys
Director of compliance
Office Phone Number: 
607-391-1040
Email:
cmatthys@carsny.org
Development Coordinator
Development coordinator
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500
Email:
info@carsny.org
Brad Walworth, MDiv
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Office Phone Number: 
607-391-1041
Email:
bwalworth@carsny.org

Outpatient Staff

Cortland Program Director
Cortland Program Director
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500
Email:
info@carsny.org
Erica Cotraccia, LMHC-P, CASAC-2
Ithaca program director
Office Phone Number: 
607-391-1028
Email:
ecotraccia@carsny.org
Katarina Wehmeyer, RN, MSN, MA
Nurse Manager
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500-EXT.-5811
Email:
kwehmeyer@carsny.org

Residential Staff

Sheena Brehm, CASAC-A
Program director
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500
Email:
sbrehm@carsny.org
Clinical Supervisor
Clinical supervisor
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500
Email:
sbrehm@carsny.org
Candace Robinson
Front office coordinator
Office Phone Number: 
607-273-5500-EXT.-5638
Email:
crobinson@carsny.org