Gateway Healthcare’s Pathways Addiction Counseling Services, commonly known as PACS, provides outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for adults with substance use disorders. The program is located within Gateway’s Pawtucket and Central Falls service center at 101-105 Bacon Street in Pawtucket. Gateway is Rhode Island’s largest nonprofit Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and provides integrated mental health, substance use, crisis, residential, and community support services.
Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Care
PACS serves adults at different stages of recovery, including people entering treatment for the first time, returning after a recurrence of use, or stepping down from detoxification or residential care. Standard outpatient treatment offers scheduled counseling and recovery support. Intensive outpatient care provides a more structured schedule for people who need frequent clinical contact but do not require 24-hour residential treatment.
Gateway’s intensive outpatient services provide three hours of clinical treatment per day on at least three days each week. The program may include individual therapy, group counseling, family counseling, psychoeducation, and medication treatment when recommended. The schedule allows participants to return home after sessions and continue managing work, family, or educational responsibilities.
Counseling and Clinical Services
PACS services include individual counseling, group counseling, short-term case management, toxicology screening when required, psychiatric rehabilitation, peer recovery coaching, and medication-assisted treatment. Treatment plans are based on assessment and are adjusted according to progress, risk, and changing recovery needs.
Counseling helps clients examine triggers, cravings, relationships, stress, trauma, and other factors connected with substance use. Group sessions provide education, feedback, and peer connection. Individual counseling gives clients a private setting to discuss personal concerns and establish recovery goals. Family involvement may be included when it supports treatment and the client provides consent.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Treatment
Gateway specializes in integrated treatment for people who experience substance use and mental health conditions together. Depression, anxiety, trauma, and other behavioral health concerns can increase the risk of continued use when they are not addressed. PACS can coordinate psychiatric services, counseling, medication support, and rehabilitation services within Gateway’s larger system.
The program uses a least-restrictive approach that emphasizes harm reduction, continuous improvement, and recovery empowerment. Clients are encouraged to participate actively in treatment decisions and to build skills that support safety, stability, and greater independence.
Peer Support and Continuing Care
Peer recovery coaches can help clients connect with recovery groups, community resources, housing assistance, and other support. Case management may address barriers such as transportation, benefits, medical care, employment, or unstable housing. Continuing-care plans can include standard outpatient treatment, medication management, peer services, primary care, and community recovery meetings.
Payment and Access
Gateway is a Medicaid provider and offers financial assistance for eligible clients who cannot afford medically necessary services. Other insurance plans and self-pay arrangements may also apply. New clients should contact Gateway’s intake department to confirm current PACS schedules, insurance participation, assessment requirements, and whether outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment is the appropriate level of care.
