1Local options: county office, clinics, doctors, telehealth
Addiction treatment near me Pennsylvania
Updated
Local access often begins with a primary care provider evaluation, or a referral from a local mental health clinic or other health care professional. The individual seeking treatment may also self-refer.
Many family doctors and nurse practitioners are becoming more comfortable working with patients who have drug and alcohol problems. In addition, primary care providers can refer their patients to treatment. Primary care practices can help connect their patients with substance use disorder (SUD) screening services and link them to addiction specialists, mental health specialists, and/or counselors.
Where to Start Locally
A family physician, internist, or pediatrician are examples of types of primary care providers (PCPs). If you have a PCP, talk with them about your concerns. If you do not have a PCP, contact one in your area.
Your first step is often your primary care provider who may refer you for an assessment or treatment.
In Pennsylvania, counties provide services to help individuals and families that are experiencing substance use disorders. These programs are called Single County Authorities (SCA). The SCA may be located in the county mental health office or elsewhere depending on the structure of your local system.
The SCA may be able to provide treatment and/or services if you live in their county, or they can make referrals based on the need for treatment or other services. They can also help you identify whether you are eligible for public insurance (such as Medicaid) and direct you toward resources that may assist with finding a provider and paying for treatment.
Your County Drug and Alcohol Office
Pennsylvania residents can begin with their county drug and alcohol resource office (SCA) or their county mental health office to find a treatment provider and/or funding. Some of the programs they offer are:
Screenings
Referrals for Treatment and Counseling Services
Drug and Alcohol Use Prevention
Financial assistance
Pennsylvania's network of county drug and alcohol offices are able to help you find and access care from trained professionals who specialize in addiction. Their team members have expertise working with individuals, families, schools, communities, employers and other partners to prevent substance misuse and to support the recovery process.
Your local SCA (Single County Authority) may be able to help you with treatment funding. They do not make any guarantees, but they will try to help as best they can if you qualify for county-funded services.
County drug and alcohol offices assess needs and provide referrals, information, and education to support the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. These agencies also manage public funding for treatment services at the county level and can assist with financial support if you need it.
Primary Care and Local Doctors
Primary care doctors can open a path toward substance abuse treatment services. They are in an ideal position to assess the need for addiction treatment or co-occurring mental health problems.
A primary care provider is a good place to start because they:
Know you well
Can monitor your physical and psychological wellbeing
Can coordinate and refer you to any necessary specialty treatment
If your primary care doctor isn't familiar with addiction treatment, they can make referrals. These might include referrals to an addiction medicine specialist or psychologist.
Your first line of defense against drug addiction is your primary care provider. He or she can evaluate any symptoms you may have, provide treatment recommendations, and refer you to a specialist when appropriate. If you're not getting the support you need from your current primary care doctor, it's important that you find someone who will. A good first step is to get referrals from friends or family members.
If you live in an area without specialists or programs that treat substance use problems, ask if there are other primary care providers nearby. You can also ask a specialist you visit occasionally, such as a dentist or gynecologist, for referrals. If you're unable to find someone who will see you, call your state's addiction services agency and ask them to help you.
Local community health centers provide primary medical services on a sliding fee scale, based on income. They may also be able to connect patients with nearby treatment providers or programs.
Your primary care provider may be able to treat substance use disorders.
For people whose addiction is moderate, the primary care provider can prescribe medications to treat cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
If you have insurance coverage, your primary care provider can help find an addiction medicine specialist in your area.
Local Mental Health Centers
If you are enrolled in Medicaid, Behavioral HealthChoices (BHC) is the program that can help you find mental health and substance use disorder treatment. If you are not on Medicaid or you have limited income, you may be able to get low-cost care from your county mental health office.
The county behavioral health managed care organization (BH-MCO) is responsible for providing mental health and drug and alcohol services for Medicaid recipients. You will automatically be assigned to the BH-MCO serving your county of residence.
Behavioral HealthChoices routes Medicaid members to local community mental health centers (CMHC) or drug and alcohol agencies (D&A). CMHCs and D&As provide a variety of inpatient and outpatient services. These include individual, group, and family counseling; crisis intervention; case management; medication management; substance abuse treatment; and more.
If you do not have Medicaid or you have Medicare or private insurance, you can still get help at a local CMHC or D&A agency. The agencies may be able to offer free or low-cost services on a sliding scale based on income and ability to pay. You should call your county mental health office for more information about these programs.
If you have Medicaid, call your managed care organization to find a doctor in your area. If you do not have Medicaid, contact your county's office for mental health services.
The following are some examples of services available at local mental health centers:
Intake, screening, assessment, and referral services.
Treatment, rehabilitation, education, and support for individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
Case management.
Crisis intervention services.
If the person you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call 911, go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital, or contact your local crisis intervention center.
County mental health offices may help people who are experiencing a mental health crisis or who need support to get behavioral health services through their insurance. You can call your local county office to ask for help.
Telehealth When Treatment Is Far Away
Telehealth delivers counseling and medication support when you live far from treatment or have limited transportation. It can also help you connect to the right services if you are unsure where to start.
Even if you find a good treatment center close to home, it is not always possible to travel to every appointment or group session. Telehealth makes care easier for people who live far from their providers. You can get services at home or in another location (such as a library or treatment center).
If you want to access telehealth, ask your provider if they offer this option. They can help you determine what you will need. It is also good to talk to your insurance provider about how they cover telehealth.
Telehealth provides support for the following services:
Screening
Assessments
Treatment
Recovery supports
Crisis Support
Medication management
Telehealth delivers counseling and medication support when there are few addiction professionals in an area or it is hard to travel to care. But telehealth also works well for people who live close to their provider but need additional flexibility for their schedules and routines.
In addition, some insurance companies and Medicaid cover "audio-only" telehealth services. This option lets you talk on a phone without using video equipment. It is particularly useful for people who may not have reliable internet service or access to a good video camera, but still want care from a distance.
Telehealth can help people with AUD by allowing them to access a variety of treatment options without having to travel long distances or miss work. This type of care is often more convenient than traditional face-to-face sessions. Telehealth can provide access to care from a licensed clinician, including counseling or medication management services.
Telehealth delivers counseling and medication support when other options are not practical or available. Telehealth services can be provided through online platforms, smartphone apps, or phone calls. Telehealth is often a good choice for: Those with physical, mental, or financial challenges that limit their ability to travel to an office; Clients who live in rural areas without easy access to care; People needing extra support after leaving residential treatment.
Some people are worried about privacy when using telehealth. However, many services have built-in security features to ensure confidentiality.
Local Buprenorphine Prescribers
Office-based buprenorphine expands opioid treatment beyond traditional addiction care settings. It can be provided by qualified health professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs).
Buprenorphine treatment providers include physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Practitioner lists for buprenorphine are incomplete because:
There may be additional practitioners in your area who are able to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD.
Some providers do not want their information listed online.
Checking a Local Provider
Before choosing a local provider, ask whether they have experience helping people with substance use problems. Find out if the provider is licensed in Pennsylvania and if it has accreditation. Call their office to set up an appointment for assessment or evaluation.
If you are going to see a local substance use disorder treatment provider or program, ask the following questions:
Is this a walk-in service? When can I schedule an appointment?
Do you accept my insurance?
How soon can I start treatment?
Will you help me find a treatment provider who prescribes medication to treat alcohol and opioid use disorders?
What is your level of care or treatment approach?
If the provider does not have an answer for all these questions, keep looking for a different provider.
You may also want to ask about:
How long the provider has been in business.
If the staff will work with your family.
If they are licensed or accredited by a professional association.
If they have experience treating your type of addiction.
Whether you can be admitted to treatment within 48 hours.
For telehealth services, check with your insurance company or employer about whether you have coverage. Ask if you can use your benefits for telehealth and what your out-of-pocket costs may be.
