When is inpatient treatment necessary?

WHEN INPATIENT TREATMENT IS NECESSARY

The basic guidelines for recommendation for short term inpatient treatment of three to seven days to reduce the risk of detoxification are driven by good medical practice and safety considerations for the patient.

It is the general policy of the providers listed on this site, when any of the following conditions are present at the initial evaluation, that a patient is referred to inpatient services:

1). Multiple substance abusers such as alcohol, cocaine and marijuana or opioids, benzos and a muscle relaxant such as soma. Many other combinations are also problematic, especially when combined with any particular ailment such as previous history of seizures or impaired liver function. In some instances, it is not apparent at evaluation but clear upon receipt of blood and urine analysis, that these combinations exist. All prospective patients receive
physicals, EKG and blood work prior to admission to outpatient treatment services.
2). Alcohol users who upon stopping drinking who develop the shakes (DT’s), especially women over the age of 35.
3). Methadone patients using over 30 mg per day require rapid detox, usually over three or four days, unless complicated with multiple substances where a week to ten days may be required.
4). Opiate use exceeding 600 mg per day, especially when other substances are involved,
specially if any benzo’s are involved.
5). Obvious health issues such as heart, lung, kidney, liver or other major illnesses.

These general guidelines are used to determine the qualification for outpatient treatment, however, in some cases even longer periods may be necessary. Thirty and ninety day programs, especially with younger populations or severe underlying issues may be necessary.

The sequence of admission at all of our providers follows:

1). Initial free evaluation and determination of the Preliminary Treatment Plan
2). Extensive blood and urine analysis
3). Complete physical to include an EKG
4). Biopsychosocial /Family History by nurse
5). Psy Evaluation by the doctor

At the completion of the Psy Evaluation by the doctor, all the available information is used to determine whether inpatient admission is necessary or if an outpatient treatment program is appropriate. All of our licensed providers are medical practices first, but have specialized capabilities for the treatment of drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Using the medically managed dual diagnosis format our providers are among the few that provide under one roof medical management (doctor and nurse), with individual and group therapy (therapists) and one treatment plan and patient file. Patients are required to attend a full complement of therapy to maintain prescription services, as evidence based medicine has proven this is the key to high outcome measurement success.