Treatments & Services
Addiction Recovery Program Overview
UAB Medicine’s Addiction Recovery Program offers a personalized approach to assessing and treating alcohol and substance use disorders. We have a multi-specialty team of experienced counselors, social workers, nurses, addiction medicine physicians, peer recovery support specialists, and office services specialists.
Our licensed counselors and social workers work individually and in groups with patients and their families to provide thoughtful, caring treatment for substance use disorders.
Our staff understand that the preferred recovery pathway is unique for each person, so they help connect patients with a wide range of recovery approaches, including 12-Step programs, Recovery Dharma, Celebrate Recovery, SMART Recovery, and more. Medication-assisted treatment is offered when appropriate.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP meets Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. We encourage in-person participation, but we do offer an in-person and Zoom hybrid option for patients who live far away, don’t have a car, or are caring for family members.
Our services include group therapy, education, individual therapy sessions, and family therapy.Our staff are experienced in providing trauma-informed care and working with patients who have other mental health disorders beyond alcohol and/or substance use disorder.
Our IOP provides a safe, supportive environment for starting the recovery process while allowing time to find balance, self-regulate, and manage personal affairs. We equip patients with the skills needed to meet immediate and long-term goals.
We are an abstinence-based program.
Health Care Professionals
The UAB Medicine Addiction Recovery Program has been serving health care professionals for over 30 years. Our treatment community is small, individualized, and personal. Patients address the risks that health care professionals have with addictive disease and learn ways to handle them in a confidential group setting. Our program includes a specialized Professional Resource Program. This eight-week program meets twice a week for one hour via Zoom and is designed to meet the needs of health care professionals. We understand that the stress and anxiety associated with returning to work can be overwhelming. Our program for health care professionals helps prepare patients to transition safely back into the workplace and the community in a healthy, professional manner.
As with other patients, health care professionals often have concerns and questions before entering treatment. Some of the more common questions are answered below:
Will I lose my license if I admit that I have an addiction problem and seek treatment?
Many professions within health care provide a way for providers to receive treatment and return to work under monitoring. Our goal is to provide quality treatment, so that you are able to return to your profession healthy and safe – for your benefit and for the public’s. We understand how health care professional licensing boards work, and we can help you navigate the monitoring system. Our relationships with professional licensing boards will help you make a smooth transition when you are ready to safely practice again.
Why should I choose the UAB Medicine Addiction Recovery Program?
Our relationship with health care professionals who have substance use conditions began in 1994. Our licensed staff is diverse, experienced, and sensitive to the specialized needs of health care professionals. We provide a non-judgmental approach to meeting your personal goals through individualized treatment.
Aftercare Support Groups
Our aftercare support groups can help with relapse prevention, pathways to recovery, coping skills, work-related issues, depression, anxiety, and family issues. They provide weekly support for our patients who have completed our IOP and/or programs for health care workers or other professionals.
Addiction Consult Social Workers/Counselors
Our social workers/counselors assess the aftercare needs of patients with substance use disorders across all inpatient hospital units and emergency departments.
They problem-solve with patients, their families, primary hospital care teams, and other consult team members to create a plan for accessing recovery and treatment resources upon discharge. They also help connect patients with community resources.
Peer Recovery Support Specialists (known as “peers”)
Our peers share their knowledge and offer support from having lived through their own recovery experience. They use their expertise and personal stories to inspire hope and demonstrate that recovery is possible for everyone. They use a strengths-based approach and understand the many pathways for recovery.
Other Services & Specialties
We offer other services and specialties, including:
- Family support group
- Liver transplant support group
- Trauma-informed care
- Dialectical behavior therapy skills
- Cognitive behavior therapy skills
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing