Abraham J. Twerski
Founder/Medical Director Emeritus
Gateway Rehabilitation Center

Dr. Abraham J. Twerski is the founder and medical director emeritus of Gateway Rehabilitation Center, a not-for-profit drug and alcohol treatment system in western Pennsylvania, cited nationally as one of the 12 best drug and alcohol treatment centers by Forbes magazine and as one of the top 100 rehab centers in the guide to treatment The 100 Best Treatment Centers for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

Dr. Twerski, an ordained rabbi, held a pulpit until 1959 when he graduated from Marquette University Medical School and went on to complete his psychiatric residency at the University of Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Institute.  For 20 years, he served as clinical director of the Department of Psychiatry at St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh, and was an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Dr. Twerski is recognized as an international authority in the chemical dependency field.  He began the first Pennsylvania program for nurses with alcohol or drug problems, "Nurses off Chemicals;” served on the Governor's Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, and was Chairman of the Pennsylvania Medical Society Committee on the Impaired Physician.  He also appears frequently as a radio and television guest speaking to audiences worldwide.

A frequent lecturer on a broad range of topics, including stress, self-esteem, spirituality as well as chemical dependency, Dr. Twerski has also written over 50 books and articles including: Substance Abusing High Achievers; Life's Too Short; I'd Like to Call For Help, But I Don't Know The Number; Do Unto Others; Coping With Stress – The 9/11 Generation; and collaborative effort with Peanuts comic strip creator Charles Schulz, When Do The Good Things Start?; Waking Up Just in Time; I Didn't Ask To Be In This Family and That's Not A Fault...It's A Character Trait. Dr. Twerski's most recent groundbreaking book is entitled HAPPINESS AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT: The Spirituality of Becoming the Best You Can Be. More than a handbook for living a happier life, Dr. Twerski’s latest book is viewed as a treasure map that leads one beyond self-centered contentment to realizing one’s full potential as a human being.
“True happiness comes when you choose – again and again – to be the best person you can be,” writes Dr. Twerski.

He appears in many videos, among which are "Animals and Angels:  Spirituality in Recovery;"  "Like Yourself:  Building Self-Esteem in Recovery;" and "Liking Yourself:  Part II."

In 1995, Dr. Twerski opened a rehabilitation center located in Jerusalem.  "Shaar Hatikvah", meaning Gateway to Hope, is a project of the American Jewish community in conjunction with Gateway Rehabilitation Center. He has lectured extensively on chemical dependency and other topics such as stress, self-esteem, and spirituality.  In addition, he has
traveled the world as a spokesperson for recovery on behalf of the millions who have achieved it and those still finding their way.

Scientific contributions and community efforts have earned him honorary degrees from St. Vincent's College, Duquesne University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Twerski has received numerous awards during his career including:

  • 1975 - Martin Luther King Citizen's Award

  • 1980 - Citation for Contribution to the Integration of Religion and the Behavioral Sciences

  • 1991 - Pittsburgh Magazine honored Dr. Twerski as a “Real Pittsburgher”           

  • 1997 - Pennsylvania Medical Society's greatest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, for his dedication in his work in the chemical dependency field                              

  • 1998 - Caritas Award for Service from Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh
    - Oskar Pfister Award from the American Psvchiatric Association

  • 2001 - Dr. Twerski was honored with the Health Care Hero Lifetime Achievement Award through the Pittsburgh Business Times

  • 2002 - Nelson J. Bradley Life Time Achievement Award from the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP).  This award is given annually to an individual whose life-time  has been committed to furthering the cause of addiction treatment 

  • 2005 - Dr. Twerski, received the inaugural Hope Award from Gateway, which will be known in the future as the Abraham Twerski Hope Award

  • May 2006 - the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) awarded Dr. Twerski with the Michael Q. Ford Journalism Award

Revised 8/2007


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