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Addiction Medicine Services and Programs

At UPMC Addiction Medicine Services, we offer a range of programs to treat substance use and mental health disorders.

On this page:

Addiction and Substance Use Prevention and Intervention

Research-based substance use prevention programs

UPMC Addiction Medicine Services (AMS) provides Pennsylvania-accredited student assistance program (SAP) training and other professional training on substance use awareness and prevention.

Our research-based programs can help prevent or delay the onset of:

  • Alcohol and tobacco use.
  • Opioid and other substance use.
  • Gambling problems.

Substance use intervention programs

AMS offers intervention services, Monday through Friday, for people concerned with a substance use problem of their own or a loved one. Our clinical and peer recovery teams discuss substance use treatment options and help guide you through the treatment system.

AMS has received support from the state at the Center of Excellence (COE) for Opioid Abuse. COE staff members prioritize people who are looking for help to beat their opioid use problem.

We also assist the Alcohol Highway Safety Program in Allegheny County. We work with local officials to provide intervention services for people arrested for DUI.

To learn more about our substance use prevention and intervention programs, call us at 412-692-2273 (CARE).

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Inpatient and Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Inpatient psychiatric dual diagnosis unit at UPMC Addiction Medicine Services (AMS)

Our psychiatric unit offers expert inpatient treatment for people with both a psychiatric disorder and a substance use disorder.

Basic outpatient addiction programs

AMS outpatient services include:

  • Substance use and mental health assessments.
  • One-on-one, family, and group therapy using evidence-based treatments.
  • Medication assessments and management for co-occurring mental health problems.
  • Drug-assisted treatments for substance use problems.
  • Case management and support from our peer recovery team.
  • Child care and other specialized services for women with substance use disorders.

Intensive substance use outpatient programs

Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides more extensive treatment than what basic outpatient care provides.

IOP is for people with both substance use and mental health disorders and include:

  • Recovery education and manuals that address each person's unique problems and needs.
  • Therapy groups and one-on-one counseling.
  • Medication management.

IOP meets three days a week for three hours each session. The program length varies from three to six weeks, based on the person’s needs.

For more details on substance use treatment, call UPMC Addiction Medicine Services at 412-692-2273 (CARE).

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Inpatient (Ambulatory) Detox and Medication-Assisted Treatments for Substance Use

UPMC Addiction Medicine Services (AMS) offers inpatient detox. We also assess and treat psychiatric inpatients for withdrawal on our dual diagnosis unit.

Medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders includes the use of drugs combined with counseling and behavioral therapies.

Drugs we use at AMS that can help treat people with alcohol, opioid, and tobacco problems include:

  • Methadone
  • Buprenorphine
  • Naltrexone

We also offer other drugs to treat both substance use and mental health problems.

To learn more, see our addiction and substance use FAQ or call us at 412-692-2273 (CARE).

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Peer Navigation

UPMC Addiction Medicine Services (AMS) employs peer navigators (PNs) who work in UPMC hospitals and the community through the Center of Excellence.

PNs are staff members who:

  • Have life knowledge in dealing with and beating their own substance use disorders.
  • Help those we serve at AMS in taking their first steps on the road to recovery.
  • Use a patient-driven approach. They work to provide whatever the patient feels will best help them take the first step.

To learn more about our peer support program, call us at 412-692-2273 (CARE).

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Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders Teaching and Training

UPMC Addiction Medicine Services (AMS) staff offers training in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

We train and supervise:

  • Psychiatric residents
  • Clinical psychology interns
  • Medical students
  • Social work grad students
  • School and community professionals

AMS staff specialize in training evidence-based practices such as:

  • Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).
  • Contingency Management (Motivational Incentives).
  • Motivational Interviewing as members of the Network of Trainers (MINT).

Our addiction medicine experts also:

  • Receive regular supervision and yearly training to keep up to date on new research and treatment techniques.
  • Make presentations to health care professionals at UPMC and community agencies throughout the Pittsburgh region.
  • Conduct clinical training at treatment centers, universities, and conferences.

To learn more about substance use training, call us at 412-692-2273 (CARE).

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