Substance use consists of the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or alcohol for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. Substance use leads to substance abuse, which Penn Medicine Lancaster General Heath is committed to help with through the variety of programs we run or are a part of.
This section focuses on opioid use specifically. Opioid addiction is a treatable medical problem. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is determined to help patients on their recovery journey from opioid use through our various programs and partnerships.
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
Joining Forces for Children, a program of Lancaster County Joining Forces, is focused on caring for children impacted by addiction. It is a collaborative project led by LG Health.
Joining Forces for Children works to enhance communication and collaboration among service providers and identify opportunities to increase access to evidence-based, trauma-informed services and supports for children impacted by addiction disorders. As part of the program, a family advocate provides individualized resource navigation for children and their caregivers.
Lancaster County Recovery Alliance
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is a part of this grassroots coalition dedicated to supporting addiction recovery in our community and reducing the stigma of being in recovery.
The Lancaster County Recovery Alliance is supported by organizations and individuals passionate about working to celebrate the role that recovery plays in Lancaster County. Treating individuals and families impacted by addiction with the same care and support as those with other illnesses creates communities where everyone can thrive.
NARCAN/Naloxone Distribution
Naloxone (brand name NARCAN®) is a medication proven to save lives by reversing opioid related overdoses. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and Lancaster County Joining Forces assist in the effort to provide and distribute naloxone nasal spray throughout the community via partners including medical professionals and community organizations.
Addiction Medicine Clinical Services
Through our Medication for Addiction Treatment Program, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health provides patients with compassionate care from a multidisciplinary team specializing in the treatment of addiction. This program is designed to treat people who have substance use disorders through our primary care practices, just like they might receive care for issues like asthma or diabetes. Treatment often includes medication (such as suboxone and vivitrol) and behavioral health counseling for safe and effective recovery from opioid use disorder. Using medication to treat opioid addiction under the supervision of a doctor has been shown to reduce withdrawal symptoms and the risk of opioid overdose. For many people, this has proven to be an effective outpatient treatment option. For more information about the Medication for Addiction program, as well as other Addiction Medicine Clinical Services offered by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, please click here.
Lancaster County Overdose Fatality Review
The Lancaster County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) is dedicated to saving lives by informing community responses to overdose deaths. We work alongside community partners to learn from overdose deaths in Lancaster County. The OFR team analyzes data and reviews overdose cases to identify system gaps and inform life-saving interventions. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our work, please contact us at OFR.Lancaster@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.