Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Renewal Treatment Inc. (RTI) is a private, non-profit treatment affiliate of Renewal, Inc.  RTI was originally incorporated in 1997 and housed at the Boulevard of the Allies location.  The programs are currently located at 333 Blvd of the Allies and 704 Second Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. 

The idea for RTI began in 1996, when the Board of Directors realized that, to achieve the mission of Renewal, Inc., a treatment program was needed to address the needs of individuals in the criminal justice system with chemical dependency history.  Renewal Treatment Inc.’s Inpatient and Outpatient programs are accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Licensing. 

Renewal Treatment Inc. (RTI) provides comprehensive forensic substance abuse treatment services to adult men and women in the criminal justice system.  These services are based on a cognitive behavioral approach in which offenders are taught to identify and recognize thoughts and feelings that lead to criminal and high risk behaviors.  Once the criminal thought patterns are identified, offenders are taught to restructure anti-social thought patterns and direct their behavior towards a pro-social lifestyle.

Services include:  Evaluation and Assessment; Education; Treatment; Continuing Care; Aftercare; and Referral. In order to provide clients with the most comprehensive services possible, RTI maintains a working relationship with service providers from other agencies and disciplines (such as mental health) throughout the surrounding area.
 

RTI utilizes a cognitive behavioral approach that is endorsed by the National Institute of Corrections and the International Community of Corrections Association.  This approach recognizes that the combination of addiction and criminality creates a unique pathology that requires specific programming. Criminal thinking distortions such as victim stance, power orientation, and dichotomous thinking, etc., must be examined and resolved by the individual to produce a successful treatment outcome. We believe that addiction and criminality need to be addressed simultaneously through a cognitive/behavioral approach that addresses both criminal thinking and substance abuse.  In addition, RTI promotes pro-social supports such as attendance at 12-Step meetings, mentoring programs and other spiritual programs.

Our philosophy integrates three underlying principles:

- Individuals are responsible for their behavior
- Individuals are able to change their thinking (beliefs)
- By changing thinking (beliefs), behaviors will change


RTI was designed for individuals who have histories of addiction and have been or are currently in the criminal justice system. It utilizes specific approaches that are designed to teach offenders how to avoid relapse and recidivism through the understanding of criminal thinking distortions and addictive behavior. Outpatient services focus on Assessment, Group Therapy (MET/CBT), and Individual Counseling.

In December of 2005, Renewal Treatment Inc.’s Inpatient Drug and Alcohol program was dedicated as the William J. Schofield III Renewal Treatment Center, in recognition of one of Renewal’s founding leaders.  Mr. Schofield served on Renewal’s board for many years as a member, Chairman, Advisory Board member and constant ally.  His life was dedicated to service to the community in many aspects, and he had a particular interest in providing habilitation of the addicted offender, and for continuing research in the addiction field.