UPMC General Internal Medicine Recovery Engagement Program for Opioid Addiction

Are you or a loved one living with an opioid addiction? If so, you're not alone. More than 48.5 million Americans were dealing with a substance use disorder in 2023, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Opioid use disorder is a chronic medical condition in which people can't control their use of drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers. Continued use of these drugs — even the prescription ones — can harm their health, ability to work, and relationships.

The UPMC General Internal Medicine Recovery Engagement Program can help. Our clinic offers support and treatment to achieve recovery from opioids and other substances.

We offer:

• Addiction medicine consultation and treatment.
• Harm reduction kits.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including buprenorphine (Suboxone^®, Sublocade^®, and Brixadi^®) and naltrexone (Vivitrol^®).
• Ongoing mental health counseling.
• Primary medical care and wound care.
• Psychiatry.
• Social support from peers with lived experience.
• Testing and treatment for viral and sexually transmitted infections like HIV and Hepatitis C.
• Treatment of common co-occurring conditions, such as pain, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

Our addiction medicine doctors have advanced training in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of substance use disorders.

We want to help you reclaim your life and restore your overall well-being. We understand that overcoming addiction isn't just about quitting drugs but also about rebuilding a fulfilling, healthy lifestyle. With our comprehensive services, we aim to support you every step of the way on your journey to recovery.

What Is the Recovery Engagement Program?

The Recovery Engagement Program is a primary care clinic at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, Pa.

One of the key components of our program is the holistic approach to treatment, addressing all aspects of your health and well-being.

This approach includes a thorough initial assessment (Level of Care Assessment) that leads to a tailored care plan that aligns with your needs and goals. Beyond medical treatments, we also emphasize the importance of mental health, connection to community resources, and social support as vital parts of the recovery process.

Our dedicated professionals work closely with you to ensure that your treatment remains flexible and responsive to any changes in your condition or circumstances.

We approach recovery from a philosophy of harm reduction — a model of care created by and for people who use drugs, distinct from treatment or recovery support. Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies to reduce the negative consequences of drug use and support and affirm people who use drugs by meeting them where they are.

Our approach is nonjudgmental and person-centered, acknowledging that recovery is a process that looks different for each individual. Our goal is to remove shame and stigma and help people feel supported.

What Recovery Engagement Services Do You Offer?

We aim to equip you with the tools and strategies necessary for a healthier life by offering a blend of MAT, counseling, and social services.

Face-to-face meeting

A team member will contact you within one business day of you contacting us to set up a visit.

When you meet with us, our team members will take the time to get to know you. They'll also explain the program and what it might look like if you participate.

Thorough assessment

Our team will bring you into the office for a medical exam. You'll work with an addiction medicine doctor to decide which treatment plan is right for you and works best for your unique needs.

Some people may need inpatient treatment to help with their opioid addiction. Others may find more success with outpatient care.

Medication-assisted treatment (medications for opioid use disorder)

Buprenorphine and naloxone (Suboxone, Sublocade, and Brixadi), as well as naltrexone (Vivitrol), are FDA-approved medications to treat opioid use disorder.

Suboxone is a combination of two drugs — buprenorphine and naloxone. Sublocade and Brixadi are long-acting forms of buprenorphine alone, given as monthly injections.

The active component, buprenorphine, works to reset balance in the brains of people addicted to or dependent on opioids. Buprenorphine acts on brain receptors to alleviate the severe pain and agony of withdrawal and reduce or eliminate drug cravings. This allows for brain healing and the return of normal function in people’s lives.

Buprenorphine can and often is used as part of a long-term treatment plan. Buprenorphine relieves common withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, stomach cramps, muscle aches, sweats, and flu-like symptoms. Buprenorphine can also provide pain relief.

Naltrexone (Vivitrol) can help individuals maintain abstinence by preventing relapse. It's an extended-release injectable form of naltrexone, a drug that blocks the effects of opioids on the brain. Naltrexone can be a powerful tool in opioid recovery by preventing the effects of opioids and reducing cravings.

Unlike methadone or buprenorphine, which replace other opioids, maintain opioid tolerance, and reduce the risk of overdose, naltrexone doesn't act as a substitute for opioids. It blocks opioid receptors without providing any opioid effects, such as pain relief or euphoria.

Mental health counseling

Studies show that cognitive-behavioral therapy, a talk therapy, can play an essential role in recovery.

Your therapist will help you manage any mental health issues like anxiety or depression. They'll also work with you as you learn new techniques to help you manage stress.

Peer support and guidance

Having support from people who have lived through addiction and recovery is vital. Peer navigators have been through the process. They can serve as empathic guides, role models, and mentors.

Social service support

Our licensed social workers and care manager:

• Provide vital social support at all stages of your recovery.
• Can help you make the changes you need to live in recovery.
• Link you to outside health and community resources to provide housing and support.

Primary care

People who get addicted to opioids often have untreated physical or mental health problems.

Our primary care providers can diagnose and treat other health problems you may have and coordinate care with other specialists.

In-office lab tests

The program offers in-office blood and urine testing to treat your medical needs and help us track your progress.

Download the Recovery Engagement Program brochure (PDF).

Do I Qualify for the Recovery Engagement Program?

To take part in the program, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Meet the criteria for an opioid use disorder diagnosis.
• Commit to program engagement by meeting with your health care provider and treatment team regularly.
• Provide UPMC-accepted health insurance.

Your doctor may refer you to us — or you can reach out to us on your own.

We can help you find other addiction treatment options if you don't qualify for the program.

The Opioid Recovery Team

When you come to our program, you have access to a team of medical, mental health, addiction, and social support experts.

Internal medicine and addiction medicine doctors

Our program doctors and physician assistant will:

• Diagnose and treat your health problems.
• Help you better manage problems like insomnia, chronic pain, and acute pain from elective surgeries or procedures.
• Manage your overall care.
• Prescribe and check on medications for addiction treatment.

Medical assistants

Medical assistants (MAs) work closely with our outpatient doctors and are often your first point of contact during visits.

Our MAs also:

• Are your first point of contact during your visits.
• Can help you when you come into the office for an appointment.
• Ensure you have any required lab or other tests in the office.
• Will check in with you to see how you're doing.

Mental health therapists

Nurturing your emotional and mental well-being is vital to recovery.

Our addiction recovery program therapists:

• Provide talk therapy and other counseling services.
• Work closely with others on the team.
• Help you define and achieve your unique recovery goals.

Patient services representatives

Our patient services representatives:

• Act as our front desk concierges. They're the first friendly faces you see through our doors.
• Answer your phone calls and connect you to the right person or service to address your questions.
• Schedule and check you in for appointments.

Peer navigators

Peer navigators have been through the process and are the Recovery Engagement Program graduates. They offer vital support, having lived through addiction and recovery themselves, serving as role models, cheerleaders, and mentors.

Registered nurses

Finally, our registered nurses work closely with our doctors and peer navigators to make the program as stress-free as possible.

Recovery program nurses:

• Answer the questions you send through MyUPMC.
• Deal with insurance issues and medication authorization.
• Verify your medicines and give you the in-office medicine your doctor has prescribed.