Addiction and Substance Use Disorder Programs and Services at UPMC

Taking the first step toward recovery is hard. You need help learning how to stop using alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. And how to continue to move forward. We can help you find your way.

UPMC Western Behavior Health’s Addiction Medicine Services treats substance use disorders and addiction.

You’ll be treated with dignity and respect, as a whole person. We'll be with you for that first step — and each step after — supporting you until you reach your recovery goals.

You do not have to stop your substance use to start treatment.

Living with addiction can wreck your life and the lives of those who care about you. It can ruin your health and your goals. Our Addiction Medicine Services can help. It’s our mission to give compassionate care to people affected by substance use.

We provide treatment for people with all types of substance use disorders, including:

• Alcohol.
• Marijuana.
• Opiates.
• Sedatives.
• Cocaine and other stimulants.
• Hallucinogens.
• Tobacco.

We also support the mental and behavioral health problems linked to these problems.

Addiction and Substance Use Intervention

Watching someone you love struggle with substance use problems can be tragic. It's hard to know what to do. Our addiction medicine professionals offer intervention services for you or a loved one with a problem.

You or your loved one can contact our medical and peer recovery teams Mondays through Fridays to:

• Learn about our substance use treatment options.
• Understand our addiction treatment approach.
• Ask any questions you may have.

We also work with Alcohol Highway Safety Program officials in Allegheny County. If someone you care about has been arrested for DUI, we can provide an intervention. To learn more, call 412-605-1598.

Outpatient and Inpatient Addiction Treatment

For all treatments, we offer seamless care. This means we look at all of your medical and mental health information to get a clearer picture of your needs so we can provide you with appropriate care.

Basic outpatient addiction programs

In outpatient addiction treatment, your care team will assess your needs and create a customized treatment plan. Your plan may include medicine-assisted therapy and other proven addiction treatments. This does not require an overnight hospital stay.

In our outpatient addiction care, you’ll receive:

• Substance use and mental health assessments.
• One-on-one, family, and group therapy.
• Medicine assessments and management for any other current mental health problems.
• Medicine-assisted therapy for substance use problems.
• Case management and support from our peer navigator team. 
• Pregnancy recovery support.
• Childcare and care for women with substance use disorders.

Do you have an opioid use problem and are on Medicaid? Our outpatient addiction medicine program includes a Center of Excellence in Oakland.    

Intensive outpatient programs for substance use disorders

Our substance use intensive outpatient programs are more extensive than standard outpatient care. If you’re dealing with both substance use and mental health disorders, your care will include:

• Recovery training and education focused on your unique problems and needs.
• Therapy groups and one-on-one counseling.
• Medicine management.

Intensive outpatient programs meets 3 days a week for 3 hours each day. Depending on your needs, you may receive therapy for 3 to 6 weeks.

Inpatient psychiatric dual diagnosis unit

If you have both a substance abuse and a mental health disorder — called dual diagnosis — you’ll need more intensive inpatient care. Our expert care team in the dual diagnosis unit treats you in the hospital.

Inpatient withdrawal management

Our expert withdrawal management care can help you safely detox. If you’re also a psychiatric inpatient, you’ll be assessed for withdrawal and treated.

Medicine-assisted therapy for substance use disorders combines tested medicines with counseling and behavioral therapies. This approach can help manage your withdrawal symptoms and curb your drug cravings.

You may benefit from the following medicines for addiction treatment:

• Methadone for opioid use disorders.
• Buprenorphine for alcohol use disorders.
• Naltrexone for tobacco use.

Other drugs to treat substance use and mental health problems may be available to you.

To learn more, see our addiction and substance use FAQ.

Peer Navigators

You're not alone. Many people have lived through treatment and recovery and moved on successfully. These individuals — called peers — can help you get there too.

Peer navigators are Addiction Medicine Services staff members who:

• Have life knowledge in dealing with and beating their substance use disorders.
• Help individuals take their first steps on the road to recovery.
• Use a person-driven approach, meaning you’ll use your own priorities and goals to plan your care.

Are you interested in helping your peers recover? Visit UPMC careers and search for "peer navigator" to see openings at Addiction Medicine Services.

Substance Use Prevention Programs

Along with being a highly regarded treatment center, Addiction Medicine Services plays an important role in educating schools and the community. Our programs aim to prevent substance misuse.

We offer Pennsylvania-accredited student assistance program training for school staff to help students stay and succeed in school. We also provide professional training on substance use awareness and prevention for teachers, staff, and neighborhood groups.

Our research-based educational and training programs can help prevent or delay:

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

Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders Teaching and Training

Addiction Medicine Services has expertise in preventing and treating substance use and mental health disorders. And we train and supervise current and future professionals in these skills, including:

• Psychiatric medicine residents.
• Clinical psychology interns.
• Medical students.
• Social work graduate students.
• School teachers and staff.
• Neighborhood groups.

You can learn evidence-based practices such as:

• Screening, brief intervention, and referral to addiction treatment.
• Behavioral treatments to encourage people not to use drugs.
• Motivational interviewing.

Our addiction medicine experts:

• Receive yearly training on the latest research and treatment techniques.
• Teach health care workers throughout the Pittsburgh region.
• Provide training at treatment centers, colleges, and conferences.

Need Help for Yourself or Someone You Love? Contact Us

To confirm times and schedule an appointment at one of our locations below, call 412-692-2273.

Oakland

Center of Excellence: Medicaid Access Opioid Treatment
Open weekdays from 8:30 to 5 p.m. for walk-in and scheduled appointments.
3501 Forbes Ave., Suite 860,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Center for Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Services
3501 Forbes Ave., Suite 860,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Wilkinsburg

Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program
225 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15221

South Side

Quantum One Building
2 Hot Metal St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203