The Bridge Clinic at Cook County Health is your entry point into recovery.

We act as an urgent care clinic for those struggling with opioid and/or alcohol use. The Bridge Clinic provides rapid access to treatment without judgement.

Common examples of opioids include heroin and prescription pills like oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, fentanyl, and morphine.

Call 911 if you are experiencing an overdose or a medical emergency.
Ways to Get Help

Contact us today if you or a loved one need quick access to addiction treatment services. The Bridge Clinic is here for you, regardless of your ability to pay or your stage in recovery.

Need a ride?

If you are a CountyCare member or have health coverage through Medicare and you need a ride to your appointment, call 312-864-RIDE (7433) to schedule a ride. 24-hour notice is required. Many Medicaid health plans offer free rides. If you have coverage through another health plan, call your insurer to see if you qualify.

About the Bridge Clinic
The Bridge Clinic at Cook County Health offers rapid evaluation and treatment for patients struggling with addiction.

We provide rapid access to medication for addiction treatment (MAT) through in-person visits or telemedicine. Our team can also connect you with a primary care doctor or specialist and other substance use treatment and support services you may need. After starting MAT, our team will support you to connect to ongoing care closer to home at one of our 12 health center locations throughout Cook County.

What services are offered at the Bridge Clinic?
Integrated addiction treatment with a prescriber and recovery coach


Commonly prescribed medications:
• Buprenorphine [Suboxone™, Brixadi™, Sublocade™, Zubsolv™] for opioid use disorder
• Naltrexone [Vivitrol™] for opioid and alcohol use disorder
• Naloxone [Narcan™] for opioid overdose*
• We do not offer methadone treatment but will make a referral when appropriate.

Linkage to other substance use treatment and support services including residential, intensive outpatient, peer support, methadone clinics and recovery homes.

* To request naloxone or if you wish to report using naloxone to reverse an overdose, call the CCH Bridge clinic at 312-864-4628 (City of Chicago and suburban Cook County).

Primary and specialty care services:

Primary care
Psychiatry and behavioral health care, including counselling
Maternity care
Dental Care
• Hepatitis treatments

Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s)
Birth Control
HIV prevention with PrEP
Lab Tests
Pharmacy access for low or no cost medications
Financial counseling
Our Team
Dr. Andrew Birkhead is pictured with a beard and a bald head, wearing a light-colored lab coat over a checkered shirt, stands in front of a blue backdrop, smiling slightly.
Andrew Birkhead MD, FAAFP, FASAM
Bridge Clinic Medical Director & Family Medicine Physician
Monica Puente is pictured with red hair wearing a black blazer and blue blouse stands in a well-lit hallway. She has gold earrings and red lipstick, and is looking at the camera with a neutral expression. The background shows a corridor with open doors.
Monica Puente CADC
Recovery Coach Coordinator
Diane Rosales is pictured with shoulder-length blonde hair and smiling while standing in a corridor. They are wearing a gray blazer over a black shirt. The corridor is brightly lit, with a visible doorway in the background.
Diane Rosales CADC
Recovery Coach
Dr. Frances Norlock is pictured with shoulder-length brown hair while wearing a grey blazer and a pearl necklace. She is smiling in front of a blue and brown mottled background.
Frances Norlock DO, MPH, FACP
Primary Care Internist
Dr. Alexandra Albanese is pictured smiling with straight brown hair while wearing a white coat. The coat has text that reads, Alex Jimenez, M.D., Family Medicine, and Cook County Health ATTENDING. The background is blue with light tones.
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Michael Nelson is pictured with short brown hair, wearing a light-colored jacket over a black shirt. The background is a textured blue gradient. The person is smiling gently, facing forward.
Addiction Medicine Specialist, Toxicologist & Emergency Medicine Physician
Janet Towns is pictured with braided hair styled in a bun while smiling warmly at the camera. She is wearing a white top and gold hoop earrings, with a gold necklace featuring a 100 pendant. The background is a softly lit hallway.
Janet Towns
Community Health Worker
How to get to
the Bridge Clinic?
Hours of
Operations

The Bridge Clinic is your fast entry point into care. Most visits are offered via telehealth, and we can also offer in-person visits at a CCH location convenient to you.

Other
Resources
Bridge Clinic
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