Chicago, IL – PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) is tackling the opioid epidemic with its unique treatment program. In PCC’s program, the treatment of heroin, prescription drug abuse, alcohol, tobacco and other substances is offered right in the doctor’s office.
The program offers treatment at select PCC health centers and at PCC’s Chemical Dependency Clinic, located within West Suburban Medical Center at 3 Erie Court, Suite 1300, in Oak Park. PCC’s goal is to meet patients where they are in their recovery and help them set goals without judgment. During normal doctor’s visits, patients can receive counseling and safe medications like Suboxone and Vivitrol to help decrease heroin, opioid, or alcohol use.
A unique feature of PCC’s Chemical Dependency Clinic is its location within a comprehensive primary care setting. The Chemical Dependency Clinic shares its space with a clinic that offers walk-in appointments, sports medicine, and ultrasound, thereby naturally removing some stigma a patient may experience when seeking treatment for their addiction.
“We have an extremely dedicated team of medical providers and behavioral health consultants who recognize how vulnerable a patient may feel when seeking treatment. We've made it our mission at PCC to help support and guide our patients both physically and mentally through every step of the recovery process,” said Dr. Kathleen McDonough, the clinic’s coordinator and one of only two family Medicine physicians in the Chicago area who is board-certified in addiction medicine.
PCC also offers substance abuse treatment services for pregnant women with an opioid use disorder. PCC supports women in a holistic approach to treatment by offering integrated prenatal care and, behavioral health, and substance abuse treatment within the primary care setting with specially trained Maternal Child Health fellow physicians. PCC also can support individual aspects of a pregnant woman’s care by coordinating with their current treatment or prenatal care provider.
“We're excited to expand our integrated interdisciplinary approach to substance abuse treatment to pregnant women. We recognize there are significant barriers that impact women's ability to engage in substance abuse treatment. Every time a pregnant patient walks through our doors inquiring about treatment, we count it as a success and a step towards a better future for the mother and baby,” says Dr. McDonough.
Patients that receive treatment may continue to receive primary care, pediatric care, and behavioral health care at their local PCC health center.
PCC accepts many health plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, and offers a sliding fee program for uninsured patients. PCC is a Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) licensed facility for outpatient substance abuse treatment. Visit www.pccwellness.org to learn more about PCC. For more information about PCC’s Chemical Dependency Program, or to schedule an appointment, please call (708) 406-3929 ext. 5030.
