Meet Behavioral Health Outpatient Team Call 717-544-1427 for Assistance

Opioid addiction is a treatable medical problem. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is committed to helping patients on their recovery from opioid use.

Our medication for addiction treatment program (also called medication-assisted treatment or MAT) is designed to treat people who have substance use disorders at primary care offices, just like they might receive care for issues like asthma or diabetes. Treatment may include the prescription of medication (such as Suboxone, Vivitrol, and other forms of buprenorphine) and behavioral health counseling to help patients recover from opioid use disorder safely and effectively.

Research shows that using medication to treat opioid addiction under the supervision of a doctor reduces withdrawal symptoms and reduces the risk of opioid overdose.

Our team of providers have specialized training in the treatment of opioid use disorders in office-based settings.

About Medication for Addiction Treatment Program

Patients participating this program receive compassionate care from a multidisciplinary treatment team specializing in the treatment of addiction. The team may include a primary care doctor and a counselor, both of which you can see at a primary care office. The visits are very similar to seeing a primary care provider for other health concerns.

Treatment may include the prescription of medication to treat opioid use disorder and behavioral health interventions for safe and effective recovery that is long term. Patients typically meet with their prescribing provider weekly at the beginning of treatment and often reduce frequency of appointments as appropriate for effective care.

Our goal is to help you recover from your opioid use disorder as safely and comfortably as possible. If you or a loved one needs help with opioid addiction, you are not alone. Help is available.

Read this blog article about the program by Dr. Jon Lepley, medical director of the addiction medicine program. If you are interested in learning more about the program or scheduling an initial appointment with an addiction specialist, please call our Addiction Medicine team at 717-544-1427.

Financial assistance for this program is available. Please contact us for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will my opioid use be treated within primary care?

Our team of medical professionals screen individuals interested in treatment for their opioid use disorder to help place them into care. Patients are matched to an appropriate primary care office (preferably your current provider if you have one). Our team of prescribing providers, behavioral health specialists, nurses, and care coordinators then work with patients to collaborate on treatment recommendations.

What treatment may be recommended?

There are several medication options that our primary care teams may use to treat opioid use disorder. They include:

Suboxone
Subutex
Vivitrol
Sublocade

Counseling and behavioral modification may be recommended as well. This could be with an integrated behavioral health provider or at a licensed substance use treatment facility based on patient need.
On-going appointments with a primary care provider to manage health concerns.
Support from care coordinators to ensure that needs are being met and to identify stressors that can impact care.

Why use medication to treat opioid use disorder?

In people who develop opioid addiction, their brain has changed in response to opioids and they no longer feel normal or whole unless they continue to use opioids. Medication can assist the brain by reducing the drive to use opioids.

Research shows that using medication to treat opioid addiction under the supervision of a doctor reduces the risk of opioid overdose.

Opioid use disorder is a chronic health condition. Medication is often helpful with managing the symptoms of chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression. Medication can stabilize patients' health while they work to make behavioral and lifestyle changes to further improve their health.

Will I have to leave my job or home to get treatment?

Most patients can receive outpatient care, meaning that you can go to work and live at home while coming to a primary care office to access treatment.