Pennsylvania faces a significant challenge with drug overdose deaths, ranking third-highest in the nation in 2017. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that only around 20% of those with opioid use disorder (OUD) access treatment. Limited access to evidence-based OUD treatment, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), further delays entry into programs.
In response, Governor Tom Wolf introduced the Centers of Excellence for Opioid Use Disorder (COE) in 2016. These centers, totaling 45 across the state, aim to address the overdose crisis and overcome barriers to treating patients with OUD. COEs go beyond OUD treatment, providing holistic care covering physical & mental health, and social needs such as housing, transportation, and employment training.
COEs employ community-based care teams to ensure coordinated care across various domains. These teams include Recovery Support personnel, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Counselors, Certified Recovery Specialists, nurses, and peer navigators.
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State College Medical
State College, PAState College Medical, in State College, Pennsylvania, provides outpatient medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, including methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone) options. Individual and group counseling is offered by a professional clinical team. The combination of pharmacotherapy and counseling allows for excellent outcomes for patients who participate in our Outpatient Treatment (OP) and Office-Based Opiate Treatment (OBOT) programs.
