Recovery in Fayette County: Hope in the Midst of the Drug Crisis

In Fayette County PA, the drug crisis isn’t something abstract — it’s something many of us have lived. It shows up in the faces of people we see at the grocery store, in family gatherings, in courtrooms, and in recovery m

eetings. For countless residents, including many of you reading this, addiction isn’t a distant issue — it’s personal.

What the Numbers Tell Us Locally and Statewide

According to public health data, Pennsylvania continues to struggle with high rates of drug overdose deaths. In 2023, Pennsylvania recorded 4,757 drug overdose deaths, a rate of about 37 per 100,000 people — significantly above the national average (USAFacts, 2025). And when you look at counties across the state, Fayette County stands out. In 2023, Fayette County experienced an overdose death rate of 64.6 per 100,000 people, one of the highest rates in the Commonwealth (USAFacts, 2025). This makes the crisis here deeply real — it touches every neighborhood.

The data also show that opioids — especially fentanyl and synthetic opioids — drive these deaths. Fentanyl is now involved in the majority of overdose fatalities because it is extremely potent and often mixed unknowingly into other drugs (Innovo Detox, 2025). In local coroners’ reports, fentanyl appears as one of the most common substances detected in overdose deaths, along with other drugs like cocaine and xylazine — an animal tranquilizer now found in many street drugs (Fayette County Coroner’s Office, 2023).

This crisis isn’t just about opioids alone. Many overdose deaths involve combinations of substances, including stimulants and sedatives, making each situation unpredictable and dangerous (PA Dept of Health, 2023).

How This Affects Everyday Life in Our Community

Living in a county with such high overdose rates means that many people in recovery face ongoing challenges:

• Triggers are close by: Fayette County’s small‑town feel means you may run into old friends, events, or environments tied to past substance use.

• Access to resources can feel limited: Not everyone has easy transportation to treatment centers, recovery meetings, or medical care. Rural challenges like these can make recovery feel slower or more isolating.

• Family stress and community pressure: Many people here are juggling work, kids, probation requirements, or strained family relationships — all while trying to stay clean and build a new life.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. The crisis isn’t just statistics — it’s part of many lived experiences, and it provides context for why recovery can be tough but also why it is so important.

Economic and Employment Impacts of Recovery

Addiction affects more than health; it has tangible economic and workforce consequences. In Fayette County, overdose and untreated substance use contribute to labor shortages, absenteeism, and increased costs for employers and healthcare systems (CDC, 2025). Conversely, supporting recovery strengthens the local workforce. Individuals in recovery who gain employment are more likely to remain engaged in treatment, achieve long-term stability, and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Recovery-friendly workplaces, reentry programs, and skill-building initiatives help bridge gaps in employment, reduce recidivism, and create stable income opportunities. These programs not only benefit individuals but also reinforce community and economic resilience.

Local Workforce and Reentry Resources

Recovery Employment Partnership (REP)

A free program offering individualized case management, resume development, interview preparation, job retention support, and assistance with transportation and work attire for individuals in recovery.

PA CareerLink® and the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

One-stop workforce hubs providing job search assistance, skills assessments, training, and connections to local employers.

WIN (Workforce Investment Network)

Workforce development services offering career planning, training, and employer partnerships, especially for those overcoming barriers related to substance use or justice involvement.

Reentry and Recovery-to-Work Initiatives

Regional partnerships offering job training, employer networks, and second-chance employment programs.

Workplace Prevention and Employer Education Resources

Guidance for creating drug-free, recovery-supportive workplaces, including Employee Assistance Programs and policies promoting employee health and productivity

Where There Is Challenge, There Is Support

The good news is that there are tools and supports available — and they’re helping save lives right now:

Lifelines like naloxone (Narcan):Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose if given in time — and it’s become more accessible statewide as part of public health efforts to reduce deaths. Local programs and pharmacies provide naloxone and harm reduction supplies to communities (PA Dept of Drug and Alcohol Programs, 2025). Additionally, you can pick up Narcan, amongst other harm reduction supplies, at any of our Trilogy locations.

Treatment access and community action:State and local agencies continue to invest in outreach, education, treatment referrals, and support services aimed at prevention and recovery — from outpatient care to peer recovery meetings and support groups.

You’re not doing this alone:Every recovery appointment you attend, every support group you join, and every honest conversation you have about your challenges is part of the broader effort to break the cycle of addiction in Fayette County. In a community where so many have been affected, every step toward recovery is meaningful and worth celebrating.

Accessing Treatment in Fayette County

For individuals who need a higher level of care, Fayette County and the surrounding region offer inpatient and residential treatment options. These programs provide structured environments, medical supervision, and intensive therapeutic support for those early in recovery or experiencing relapse.

When Inpatient Treatment May Be Needed:

Inpatient or residential treatment may be recommended when someone needs a higher level of support than outpatient care can provide. This level of care offers 24/7 structure, medical oversight, and therapeutic support in a safe, recovery-focused environment.

Inpatient treatment may be appropriate when:

·       Substance use has become frequent, heavy, or difficult to control, even with prior outpatient support

·       There is a history of relapse or overdose, or increased risk related to fentanyl or polysubstance use

·       Withdrawal symptoms are severe or medically risky and require monitoring

·       Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, or trauma are interfering with recovery

·       Home or social environments make it hard to stay safe or sober

·       Someone needs time and space away from daily stressors to stabilize and focus

on recovery

Choosing inpatient treatment is not a failure — it is a step toward safety, stabilization, and long-term healing. For many people, inpatient care provides the foundation needed to successfully transition into outpatient treatment, recovery housing, and community-based supports.

Inpatient Facilities in and Around Fayette County, PA

Wellness Recovery LLC (Uniontown, PA)

Address: 9–11 Veech Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 Phone: (724) 438‑4044

Website: https://www.wellnessrecoveryllc.com/

Angel’s Light Addiction Specialists (Uniontown, PA)

Address: 1023 Pittsburgh Rd, Suite 203, Uniontown, PA 15401 Website: https://www.inpatientaddiction.com/

Clear Day Treatment Center (Greensburg, PA)

Address: 1037 Compass Circle, Suites 101 & 103, Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: (724) 834‑7000 Website: https://cleardaytreatmentcenters.com/

DreamLife Recovery (Donegal, PA)

Address: 212 Snyder Road, Donegal, PA 15628

Phone: (844) 402‑3592; Facility Direct: (724) 252‑4458

Website: https://dreamliferecovery.com/

Gateway Rehabilitation Center  (Mt. Pleasant, PA)

Address: 508 South Church Street, Suite 201, Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666

Phone: (724) 365‑4020

Website: https://www.gatewayrehab.org/

Greenbriar Treatment Center  (Washington, PA)

Address: 800 Manor Drive, Washington, PA 15301

Phone: (724) 225‑9700 or 1‑800‑637‑4673

Website: https://www.greenbriar.net/

Greenbriar Treatment Center

Address: 350 Bonar Avenue, Waynesburg, PA 15370

Phone: (724) 993‑4592

Website: https://www.greenbriar.net/

Trilogy’s Role in Recovery-Oriented Care

Trilogy supports recovery by addressing the full picture of a person’s life — not just substance use. Through care coordination, outpatient services, peer support, and connections to employment, housing, and higher levels of care, Trilogy helps individuals navigate recovery in a sustainable way.

Even when someone needs services beyond Trilogy, referrals to inpatient facilities, workforce programs, and community partners ensure that individuals receive help that meets them where they are.

Finding Hope in Your Recovery Journey

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the weight of the crisis at times. But recovery is not just about statistics — it’s about your life, your goals, and your future. The drug crisis may be real, but so is your strength. Many people in this community are walking the recovery path with you — and every day you choose healing, you’re contributing to something bigger than yourself.

Whether you’re early in recovery or further along, keep showing up. Keep leaning on your support systems. And remember: there is hope, and there is help — right here in Fayette County.

References

Fayette County Coroner’s Office. (2023). Fayette County Coroner’s Office Annual Report 2023. Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/document/764291228/Fayette-County-Coroner-s-Office-Annual-Report-2023-Final Scribd

Innovo Detox. (2025). Pennsylvania drug addiction statistics & overdose data. Retrieved from https://www.innovodetox.com/pennsylvania/drug-addiction-statistics/ Innovo Detox

Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. (2025). Overdose Prevention Program. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from https://www.pa.gov/agencies/ddap/overdose/overdose-prevention-program/ Pennsylvania Government

Pennsylvania Department of Health. (2023). Fatal and non‑fatal drug overdoses in Pennsylvania. Retrieved from https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/programs/pdmp/Pennsylvania%20Overdose%20Data%20Brief%202023.pdf Pennsylvania Government

USAFacts. (2025). Drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania. Retrieved from https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-drug-overdose-deaths-happen-every-year-in-the-us/state/pennsylvania/ usafacts.org