No two people are alike. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for addiction.
That is why UPMC Western Behavioral Health Addiction Medicine Services offers a full range of treatment programs that will be tailored to your needs.
Your path to recovery will begin by talking with an addiction medicine specialist. They will assess your medical and mental health information to get a clear picture of your needs. Working with you, they will create a personalized treatment plan that's based on where you are in your addiction recovery journey.
We will collaborate with your primary care doctor, specialist, psychiatrist, or therapist. This integrated care approach helps us work together to support you at every stage of your journey. Our medical and peer recovery teams are here to explain our substance use treatment options. They will guide you through our addiction treatment approach and answer any questions you may have.
If you're concerned about your child and substance use, talk to your pediatrician or family doctor, who can refer you to treatment. You can also call the UPMC Addiction Medicine Services location near you.
Note: Not all programs listed below are offered at all UPMC Addiction Medicine Services locations.
We offer the highest level of medical withdrawal management to help you safely and comfortably stop using drugs. Our goal is to manage your withdrawal symptoms, such as severe nausea, muscle pain, depression, and anxiety, with a combination of tested medicines, counseling, and behavioral therapies.
Do you struggle with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder (also called a co-occurring disorder)? You may need 24/7 hospital care. You'll receive medically supervised detox and medication-assisted therapy. You will also receive care for your mental health issue. Your doctor will determine when you're ready to move to another level of care.
This program offers specialized, intensive inpatient care for adults. You'll live in a supportive and comfortable setting that is free from substance use. It's a safe, structured environment with round-the-clock care away from your usual surroundings so you can focus on recovery. Detox is included in your customized treatment plan. Intensive therapeutic programs and services will help you work on your mental health and substance use issues. The overall goal is to get you back to living independently.
Note: In western Pennsylvania, residential care is offered at UPMC Twin Lakes.
Our outpatient program lets you get help for your substance use without an overnight hospital stay. You can live at home and continue your daily routines, such as work or school. Scheduled one-on-one, family, and/or group therapy gives you ongoing support. Any medicines will be prescribed and managed by a psychiatrist. If you're currently using substances, you may also need medication-assisted therapy.
The intensive outpatient program is an increased level of care without hospitalization or daily therapy. You'll meet three hours a day, three days a week, for three to six weeks for one-on-one therapy and group sessions with a behavioral health specialist. A psychiatrist will prescribe and manage any medications you take.
In both care levels, you'll receive peer support, service coordination, individual and group therapy, and medicine management. If needed, case management services can assist you with housing, nutrition, and social services. They can also connect you to support groups.
Many people have experienced living through treatment and recovery. Support from these individuals — called peers — can help you on the road to recovery. Peers are trained UPMC Addiction Medicine Services staff members. They know about dealing with and beating their own substance use disorders. They'll focus on your priorities and goals to help you take your first step to recovery. Some peers have added training as certified peer specialists.
UPMC offers language and translation support.
A driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can be stressful and scary. If you get a DUI, the court will likely order you to complete a safety course. Based on where you live in Allegheny County, you will be assigned to UPMC Addiction Medicine Services. We do not take self-referrals, and you can't pick what program the court assigns you to. UPMC is one of four interventional programs in the Alcohol Highway Safety Program of Allegheny County. The program is part of a statewide initiative for people with DUI convictions.
In addition to providing substance use and addiction treatments, UPMC Addiction Medicine Services also offers innovative education programs that aim to help prevent substance misuse.
Research shows that teaching young people about addiction can help prevent it. The programs in Pittsburgh focus on teaching pre-K through high school students skills that foster better mental health and healthy behavior. We talk with students and teachers about drug and alcohol risks and the dangers of using tobacco and e-cigarettes, or vapes.
UPMC Addiction Medicine Services helps educate teachers, school staff, and neighborhood groups on substance use. We give special attention to building awareness and promoting prevention. Services include Pennsylvania-accredited Student Assistance Program (SAP) training for school staff to help students stay and succeed in school.
In Pittsburgh, UPMC Addiction Medicine Services provides professional training on substance use awareness and prevention. We keep the medical community up-to-date on treatment options.
When thinking about addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, you'll likely have many questions.
Below are answers to common questions we get at UPMC's Addiction Medicine Services (AMS).
Addiction medicine is a medical specialty that studies the best way to take care of people with substance use disorders and addictions. At UPMC Western Behavioral Health Addiction Medicine Services, you'll work with doctors who are board-certified addiction medicine specialists and other highly trained care team members throughout your recovery.
Yes. Addiction is a disease that affects a person's brain. It is chronic and can be successfully managed. Just as with heart disease or diabetes, a person with an addiction can regain a healthy life with treatment.
UPMC Addiction Medicine Services has broad experience in virtually every area of substance use and addiction treatment. You can get help for dependence on alcohol, marijuana, opiates, sedatives, cocaine and other stimulants, hallucinogens, tobacco, gambling, and others.
Yes, substance use disorders and addiction are treatable mental health conditions. There are many different treatment options to meet people's unique needs. UPMC Addiction Medicine Services offers both drug-free and medication-assisted treatments. Both involve behavioral therapy and counseling, including one-on-one and group sessions. Your care team will help create a treatment plan that specifically addresses what you need.
UPMC Addiction Medicine Services is committed to offering substance use disorder and addiction treatment close to home. You can find us in the greater Pittsburgh area and southwestern, northwestern, and west central Pennsylvania, as well as western New York. Find a location near you.
Yes. Mental health care is an essential piece of addiction medicine. You'll work with experienced addiction medicine psychiatrists, counselors, and therapists throughout your recovery. You can see a psychiatrist as part of UPMC Addiction Medicine's substance use treatment programs.
UPMC Addiction Medicine Services offers the full range of substance use treatments. This includes basic and intensive outpatient care, inpatient hospitalization, and residential care. Your care team is made up of experienced doctors, nurses, counselors, and therapists. They will work with you to identify the best treatment to help you move toward recovery.
UPMC accepts most major insurance health plans, including:
Call us at 412-692-2273 or call your health insurance provider to confirm they cover addiction treatment.
If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
If you are having a mental health emergency, call or text 988.
If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or self-harm:
Text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or call 800-273-8255.
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