Opioid abuse and heroin use have affected and ended numerous lives throughout the U.S. To combat the opioid crisis in south central Pennsylvania, WellSpan is working to do its part to reduce drug addiction and overdoses in the communities we serve. If you or a loved one is seeking treatment for opioid use disorder and are unsure of your options, you can contact our 24/7 care team at 1-844-PHILHAVEN (1-844-744-5428) for assistance.
Treatment and Care
Emergency Care
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, please call one of the phone numbers listed below. For a medical emergency, including a possible drug overdose, dial 911.
Adams County: 866-325-0339
Dauphin County: 888-596-4447
Franklin County: 866-918-2555
Lancaster County: 717-394-2631
Lebanon County: 717-274-3363
York County: 1-800-673-2496 or 717-851-5320
Medication-assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted Treatment (MAT) combines the use of medications and behavioral therapy to people with substance use disorders. MAT is a safe and effective option to provide physical relief from opioid cravings—it's even safe for women who are pregnant. WellSpan providers and a network of community partners offer this safe, effective treatment across Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties. Contact our 24/7 access center at 1-844-Philhaven (1-844-744-5428) for a referral to the right care team for you.
Alternatives for Pain Management
Noting the importance of non-opioid methods to treat pain, providers with WellSpan Physiatry and WellSpan Interventional Pain Management can provided patients with a tailored treatment plan to help minimize pain, restore function and improve quality of life.
WellSpan Center for Mind/Body Health offers a variety of movement therapies, massage therapies, energy work, stress reduction techniques, acupuncture and more – which may serve as non-opioid pain treatments.
WellSpan Philhaven offers chronic pain therapy groups designed to help individuals learn ways to train their minds and bodies to reduce stress and better manage pain so they can do more of the things they want to do. In-home exercises are also provided.
Primary Care
Primary care providers are at the center of your care team at WellSpan. They are available to help manage your medications and discuss non-opioid alternatives that may be available to you.
Behavioral Health
WellSpan Philhaven is central Pennsylvania’s most comprehensive behavioral health organization, serving Adams, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties through 54 programs and 27 care locations.
Rehabilitation & Detox
For those seeking treatment, including inpatient or outpatient detoxification treatment and inpatient and residential rehabilitation, resources are available in the following communities:
Easing Back Pain and Avoiding Pain Pills
Interventional Pain Services
Exercise for Pain Management
WellSpan Changes Opioid Prescription Protocols
With the safety and wellbeing of patients and communities in mind, WellSpan has changed how controlled drugs are prescribed and monitored.
This effort involved developing a systemwide taskforce to work in collaboration with patients, physicians and advanced practice clinicians, hospital emergency departments, and stakeholder groups in the community. In addition, WellSpan is working to educate medical teams about alternative approaches to pain management and focusing on patient education.
Part of this patient education is the WellSpan Controlled Substance Agreement, which has been implemented for use between the patient and his or her health care provider. This agreement reflects a joint understanding of what is required for a controlled substance to be prescribed and used safely by a patient. The Controlled Substance Agreement for Opioids contains a handout with important patient information specific to opioid medications.
WellSpan recognizes that the Controlled Substance Agreement – and the requirements within the agreement – may be inconvenient for some patients. However, it is an important way for WellSpan to protect both the patients and the communities we serve from the negative impacts of these drugs.
WellSpan prescribers and dispensers use Pennsylvania’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, also known as “PMP Aware,” which is an electronic database that collects information on all filled prescriptions for controlled substances. It is designed to assist in identifying those who may be struggling with addiction and abusing or diverting their prescription medications.
Working with the Community
A multifaceted, community-based approach is required to help those affected by the opioid crisis. WellSpan actively participates in opioid/heroin task forces and coalitions in Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties through leadership, planning activities and community presentations.
WellSpan provides additional assistance to these groups. For example, a grant through WellSpan’s Community Partnership Grant Program was provided to the York Regional Opiate Collaborative to help add an executive director. WellSpan physician, Matt Howie, M.D., serves as the collaborative’s executive director, in addition to his role as medical director of the York city Bureau of Health.
Partnering to Prevent Overdose Deaths
WellSpan is working collaboratively with local and state agencies to help prevent overdose deaths in our communities through the use of naloxone, a drug that can treat and reverse an opioid overdose in emergency situations. Naloxone blocks or reverses the effects of opioids and heroin, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing or loss of consciousness.
There is a standing order from Pennsylvania’s physician general that makes naloxone obtainable over-the-counter. Like first responders, staff at WellSpan hospital emergency departments have naloxone readily accessible in the event of an overdose. This includes staff access to naloxone in areas such as waiting rooms. In addition, WellSpan physicians and advanced practice clinicians can prescribe naloxone to a patient or their family and answer questions.
More information on nalaxone and other state anti-opioid initiatives is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Safe Disposal of Drugs and Medicines
Prescription medication is important, to be used when you are sick and have certain health problems. It also needs to be stored correctly and you should never reuse leftover medicines without talking to your doctor first. There is a right way to get rid of leftover medicines.
Learn more about safe disposal methods and local drug take-back programs
Learn more about safe disposal methods and local drug take-back programs (Spanish)
Additional Resources
