Comprehensive support for addiction and substance use
Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. At Penn Medicine, we are committed to addressing addiction as a treatable medical condition through compassionate care and comprehensive treatment options. Our offerings include inpatient and outpatient programs, medication-assisted treatment, and seamless coordination of care across services. While these treatments form the cornerstone of our approach, here you’ll find information about our partnerships with community organizations and the resources available to support you and your family their recovery journey.
Community partnerships and resources
Penn Medicine is proud to collaborate with local organizations and individuals to address opioid addiction and create a supportive recovery community. Through innovative programs, access to life-saving overdose intervention medications, and community support initiatives, we work together to save lives and provide compassionate care for those impacted by addiction.
Lancaster County Joining Forces
Lancaster County Joining Forces is a collection of organizations and individuals working together to save lives and create a community that supports recovery for those affected by opioid addiction. The Joining Forces partnership uses a strategic approach to strengthen the work each partner does separately, which allows us to identify gaps in services and treatments so we can save more lives together.
Joining Forces for Children, a program of Lancaster County Joining Forces, is focused on caring for children impacted by addiction. This program works to enhance communication and collaboration among service providers and identify opportunities to increase access to evidence-based, trauma-informed services and support for children impacted by addiction disorders. As part of the program, a family advocate provides individualized resource navigation for children and their caregivers.
Naloxone access
Naloxone (brand name NARCAN®) is a medicine that can save someone’s life by reversing opioid related overdoses. Penn Medicine works with medical professionals and community organizations to provide and distribute naloxone to the community. You can also get naloxone at your local pharmacy or have it mailed to your home.
Recovery support
Penn Medicine helps organize support groups and events through the Lancaster County Recovery Alliance. This coalition is dedicated to supporting addiction recovery and reducing the stigma of being in recovery.
Specialized centers for addiction support
Penn Medicine has several Centers dedicated to supporting people with addiction and advancing addiction treatment and policy.
The Penn Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy is led by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and recovery specialists dedicated to improving evidence-based and stigma-free care for patients with opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders. The Center offers treatment for individuals with these disorders in emergency rooms, primary care offices, and hospitals. Its goal is to raise awareness that addiction is treatable and to ensure that everyone receives fair, evidence-based care.
The Center for Opioid Recovery and Engagement (CORE) provides free, personalized support for people recovering from opioid addiction and their families. As a Pennsylvania-designated Center of Excellence, CORE provides personalized care, multiple pathways to recovery, and resources to overcome barriers to treatment. Certified recovery specialists lead the efforts, offering guidance based on their own recovery experiences. The Center’s mission is to ensure continued treatment and community support for every participant. Services offered by CORE include:
- Continuous peer support from Certified Recovery Specialists
- Personalized recovery plans tailored to individual needs, supporting all recovery paths
- Enhanced case management for housing, education, social services, support groups, and treatment access
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with options like buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone XR (Vivitrol)
- Care for overdose survivors, transitioning them from emergency care to treatment
If you or a loved one is struggling, you can reach CORE at 267-809-5080 or COREcares@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Getting help
Penn Medicine is dedicated to assisting you and your loved ones in taking the first steps toward recovery, even if that means seeking help outside of our hospitals or centers. For immediate support, you can search for an addiction treatment provider or call 1-800-662-4357.
Locations
Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.