UPMC Western Behavioral Health of the Alleghenies Adult Center for Exceptional Learning (ACEL)

If you’re an adult in Altoona, Pennsylvania who’s struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, you can contact the Behavioral Health Access Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. They help people who want to start their recovery but aren’t in an immediate crisis. When you call, they’ll connect you to local providers that can offer the help you need. Their resources and referrals are free, but you might be able to use private insurance to pay for the services they schedule.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. When you call, be prepared to share about the problem you’re experiencing, how long the addiction has been going on, and other important details. They’ll help you find facilities that offer the level of care you need. This might be inpatient treatment, outpatient counseling sessions, or programs that include both. They can also help you find groups that provide other services, such as case management, dual diagnosis support, mental health treatment, and senior assessments.

Something I like about this facility is that they won’t help you take the first step in recovery just to leave you. Once they link you up with a provider, they’ll help you make that appointment and will follow up to make sure you’re getting the help you need.