Pittsburgh Treatment Centers

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is found in Allegheny County. As with many other parts of the country, it is currently battling a heroin epidemic. The result of this is also that there is an overdose epidemic. At present, city efforts are focused strongly on ensuring that residents have the best possible treatment available to help them recover from an opioid dependency or addiction. Mainly, those who have a drug or alcohol problem are encouraged to seek MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment), which has been proven to be effective for those suffering from an opioid disorder. Not only does it help addicted individuals to recover, but it also lowers the spread of infectious diseases, and reduces criminal behavior.

To ensure that people get the help that they require, the Allegheny County Department of Health and Human Services (ACHD) has entered into partnerships with Community Care Behavioral Health and Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc. Together, they have developed a strategy offering MAT to all of those who are entering detox or rehab for opioid abuse as part of their treatment.

Prevention Is Key in Pittsburgh, PA

More and more often, due to potency, opioid overdoses are lethal. In Pennsylvania as a whole, 25% of families have substance abuse difficulties and. Thus, it has been observed that the key is preventing people from developing an addiction in the first place. And for those who already have an addiction, preventing an overdose is vital.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in deaths resulting from heroin and prescription opioids. This epidemic has spread across Pennsylvania, as currently one in four families struggle with a substance abuse problem. This is something that ACHD is attempting to address head on through various pieces of integrated work. This includes early intervention, prevention, and treatment partnerships. Various county agencies have joined together to create the Overdose Prevention Project. Here, professionals are trained on how they should respond if they face someone going through an overdose.

Those who live in Pittsburgh also have access to a variety of organizations that can help them get the help that they need. These include:

• Prevention Point Pittsburgh, where intravenous drug users can access health empowerment services.
• PA Stop, which is the prevention alliance campaign of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, aiming to stop abuse of opiate drugs altogether. This is an early intervention organization that aims to help people avoid prescription painkiller and heroin abuse in the first place.
• The re:solve Crisis Network by UPMC, where people can have access to crisis intervention for mental health services. Additionally, they can make use of stabilization services here.

Uniquely, Pittsburgh has released a standing order under PA  ACT 139 that applied to the entire state. This order ensures that any licensed pharmacy that had indicated that they wanted to participate, would be able to provide naloxone to anyone whom they believe to be at risk of heroin or opiate overdose. Additionally, they can provide it to those people who indicate that they may witness someone having an overdose. Thanks to ACT 139, people can get the reversal medicine needed to avoid an overdose. This is a true life saver for many, and it is hoped that this will also encourage people to seek treatment through detox and rehab facilities.