Addiction Medicine

Pioneers in Rehabilitation and Recovery

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic is a world leader in the diagnosis and treatment of addiction disorders. The hospital is the clinical partner of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, one of the world’s most respected research programs and, for many years now, the country’s top recipient of research funds from the National Institutes of Health. Western Psychiatric collaborates closely with the department to transform that outstanding research into evidence-based clinical care.

In 1988, Western Psychiatric was one of the first centers in the United States to offer comprehensive treatment to people with both substance use and psychiatric disorders, called dual disorders. Today, Western Psychiatric offers a complete range of addiction medicine services, from inpatient dual disorder services for adults, to day programs for adolescents, to community-based outpatient services for women who are coping with both an addiction and pregnancy or parenthood.

Mission Statement

Addiction Medicine Services of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC is committed to providing comprehensive addiction and dual diagnosis treatment, prevention, education, and research programs that are patient-oriented, research-based, and recovery-focused. The dedicated staff and faculty seek to engage individuals and families through motivational, culturally competent, goal-focused treatment, in compassionate, caring environments at accessible community locations. Recovery is fostered and promoted through the establishment of a healing partnership that addresses the biological, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of addiction.

Guiding Principles

• Addiction is a chronic illness with biological, psychosocial, and spiritual components. Recovery is a process of abstinence and change.
• No single treatment or approach is appropriate for all individuals. Matching treatment services to each individual’s particular problems and needs is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society.
• Treatment is designed on the principles of dignity and respect and aims to engage clients in a recovery partnership emphasizing the importance of self-management and empowerment.
• Recognizing that addicted individuals with co-existing psychiatric disorders should have both disorders treated in a coordinated manner, we were one of the first centers in the United States to offer integrated treatment. A full continuum of care with an array of treatment resources are offered in a variety of locations to provide freedom of choice and easy access for individuals, families, and communities.
• We are committed to incorporating the latest research findings to provide the most effective, research-based treatments. Our faculty conduct clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health that are aimed at helping to identify effective treatments for addiction and dual disorders.
• Education about illness, treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery empowers individuals and their families. Our faculty and staff have created and disseminated many materials to aid in the recovery of clients and families.
• We are committed to teaching professionals, psychiatric residents, medical students, and graduate students in the behavioral sciences. Faculty and staff conduct numerous lectures, training workshops, and conference presentations. Clinical rotations are provided at many of our programs.

Our Experts

Dennis Daley, PhD
Chief
Professor of psychiatry, University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Antoine Douaihy, MD
Medical director
Assistant professor of psychiatry, University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine