Addiction Medicine
Addiction, or substance abuse disorder, is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment and an individual’s life experiences. Addiction is the compulsive use of substances despite loss of money, relationships, family members, employment, freedom, health, dignity and even life. Throughout the United States, addiction impacts millions of lives — including thousands in Pennsylvania.
Medication-assisted treatment is provided in a very structured manner for several types of addition including opioids, cocaine, alcohol and tobacco. The medication helps to keep the patient in treatment, from using again and overall alive.
Treatments for opioid addiction include using drugs such as Suboxone and Zubsolv, to decrease cravings and limit withdrawal symptoms. These drugs occupy the receptors in the brain that would have been stimulated by drugs like heroin. They are not a cure for opioid addiction or opioid use dependency. Unlike quitting "cold-turkey," the treatment allows the patient to quickly resume their day-to-day life. Especially beneficial, this gives a person the ability to start counseling and address the other issues associated with addiction sooner.
Treatments for alcohol abuse, or alcohol use disorder, include three oral and injectable medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Regardless if a person is being treated for drug or alcohol abuse, the length of medication assisted treatment is indefinite. Patients must develop the ability to deal with the stressors and triggers that caused them to use in the past before they can be off of the medication.
Addiction Medicine
Psychiatry - Adult
Psychiatry - Child/Adolescent
Behavioral Health Outpatient Center - DuBois
Brookville Rural Health CenterA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Houtzdale Rural Health CenterA Service of Penn Highlands Tyrone
Moshannon Valley Rural Health CenterA Service of Penn Highlands Brookville
Penn Highlands Integrated Recovery Care - DuBoisA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Addiction Medicine
Family Medicine
Houtzdale Rural Health CenterA Service of Penn Highlands Tyrone
Tyrone Rural Health CenterA Service of Penn Highlands Tyrone
Addiction Medicine
Psychiatry - Adult
Psychiatry - Child/Adolescent
Behavioral Health Outpatient Center - Brookville
Behavioral Health Outpatient Center - DuBois
Penn Highlands Integrated Recovery Care - DuBoisA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
What is Addiction Medicine?
Addiction medicine provides evidence-based prevention, evaluation, diagnosis treatment and medical management services for people struggling with unhealthy substance use or substance-related health conditions. Often, family members who are affected by a loved one’s substance abuse will seek help from addiction medicine specialists.
What is Substance Use Disorder Treatments?
Definition: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors. Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in behavioral and social dysfunction (ASAM, 3rd Edition).
What Treatment Options are Offered by Penn Highlands Healthcare?
Out-patient:
This treatment is geared towards those with or without co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses under the care of an Addiction Medicine Physician, Addiction Psychiatrist, Recovery Addiction Counselors, and/or Social Workers. Our out-patient treatment serves those with addiction, both substance and behavioral (gambling/gaming, sexual, pornography). Our Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment is addiction focused and includes individual and/or group therapy. We offer specialized groups such as Trauma-Informed Care and Relapse Prevention.
Intensive Out-Patient (IOP):
Intensive Out-Patient Treatment requires specific criteria be met following the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM, 3rd Edition). This requires our facility to follow specific guidelines when offering 9-19 hours of individual and group therapy weekly. IOP Treatment addresses stress and emotional well-being, as well as the ability to develop and implement skills to increase proper communication and reduce likelihood of relapse and stress.
Substance Recovery Unit:
Penn Highlands Healthcare offers the CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit at Penn Highlands Mon Valley. The unit is the only Level 4.0 inpatient withdrawal and treatment facility in Washington and Westmoreland counties. Level 4.0 treatment facilities are for people who require specialized care with the support of a full acute care hospital. The unit also provides a 3.7 Bio Medically enhanced level of care which is the first of its kind in Western Pennsylvania. This unit not only helps people in their first phase of withdrawal, it provides safe and expert care to people with a host of medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and behavioral health issues. As part of an acute care hospital, the unit has the resources of an Emergency Department, Lab, Medical Imaging and even an Operating Room, if necessary.
