About
About UPMC/Mercy Hospital Acute Medical Detox
UPMC Mercy Hospital’s Acute Medical Detox program is embedded within a full-service academic hospital in downtown Pittsburgh, at 1400 Locust Street in Allegheny County. As a hospital-based detox unit, the program is staffed to manage the acute medical and psychiatric needs that often accompany withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and other substances. Because the unit operates inside a tertiary-care hospital, patients with serious co-occurring medical conditions can be cared for in one setting rather than being transferred elsewhere when complications arise.
The program is part of UPMC’s broader behavioral health and rehabilitation continuum, which spans medical detox, residential treatment and outpatient care. Patients typically begin with a brief inpatient stabilization stay, after which the clinical team helps coordinate next-step placement, whether that involves UPMC’s residential addiction services, outpatient counseling, or a return to a community-based provider closer to home. The hospital’s Joint Commission accreditation reflects ongoing oversight of patient-safety practices, medication management and clinical quality.
Mercy’s location in central Pittsburgh makes the detox unit accessible to patients across Western Pennsylvania, including residents of Allegheny County and the surrounding region. The program serves adults, including young adults aged 18-25, and accommodates men, women and patients with HIV/AIDS or who are deaf or hard of hearing. Treatment is also available for individuals with trauma histories and co-occurring psychiatric disorders, given the integrated mental-health resources available throughout the UPMC system.
Payment options reflect the hospital’s status as a major insurance-accepting health system. Mercy’s detox program works with Medicaid, Medicare, commercial insurance, TRICARE and self-pay arrangements. Prospective patients and referring providers are encouraged to verify coverage with UPMC admissions before arrival, as benefits and prior-authorization requirements vary by plan and length of stay.
- Hospital-based acute medical detox with 24-hour physician availability for complex withdrawals
- Joint Commission accredited facility ensuring clinical standards for withdrawal protocols
- Integrated treatment for co-occurring medical conditions and dual diagnosis cases
- Downtown Pittsburgh location with immediate access to full hospital medical services
- Comprehensive insurance acceptance including Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE