Our program is designed to assist your safe withdrawal from alcohol and other substances* you may have abused.  Patients and their families will receive counseling and education to help them understand their illness and in making plans for discharge and continued rehabilitation.  (*We are unable to admit patients who are suffering withdrawal from crack/cocaine or marijuana, and Federal Regulations permit only two detoxes using methadone in any 12-month period).

Your treatment team will include your physician, allied health professionals, nurses, counselors, and therapy aides.  They are supported by other Chemical Dependency Services staff and by a number of Hospital departments.  The team's goal is to help you take that important first step toward recovery.  (Upon admission, you will receive a handbook that includes more details on each of the topics below). 

Arrangements

The Unit should be called ahead to determine availability.  On the day of your admission, please check in at patient registration and proceed to 3rd floor for your personal assessment.  This process takes about one hour to complete. 

You will find your unit set up in a way that promotes privacy and confidentiality for you and your family.  There is a lounge for meetings, visits and activities.  Other areas of the unit include the nurses' station, counseling rooms, and patient rooms. As you will be sharing a room with another; please remember to be respectful of their needs. Special needs will be addressed on a person-to-person basis. 

Patients are admitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  All patients need to have valid, current insurance coverage and all corresponding insurance cards in addition to any/all medications currently being taken.  Arrangements can be made for patients who are self-paying. 

For everyone's health, effective July 1, 2008, CPH has become a tobacco-free facility.  Smoking is prohibited in or on any Hospital property, including parking lots.  

Dress Code

Patients who are ordered to bed rest by their physician will be asked to wear hospital attire and will be assisted with personal hygiene. As your physical condition allows you freedom to move around on the unit, you may dress in street clothes that are appropriate and presentable. 

Personal Items

All pieces of clothing, etc. will be searched thoroughly for your safety and that of others on the Unit. Please plan to bring just enough for a three or four day stay. Pillows, quilts, and stuffed animals from home are NOT permitted.

Medication

We believe in minimal use of medication in the detoxification process.  One of the goals of treatment is to help you live free from all mood-altering drugs.  Any medications with you, whether prescribed or not, must be given to the nurse upon admission.  Patients will receive any prescribed medications from the nurse as ordered by the physician.

Length of Stay

The average length of stay is three to five days.  Before being discharge by the physician supervising your care, your counselor will explain any final aftercare plans. Your counseling staff will work with you to prepare for additional inpatient and/or outpatient plans once you are ready to leave the detox unit. 

Visiting Hours

Family, AA members and significant others are welcome to come for visits.  Hours are:

 
Monday          6-7:45 PM                                         

Tuesday         6-7:45 PM                                         

Wednesday   6-7:00 PM                                         

Thursday        6-8:00 PM

Friday              6-7:00 PM

Saturday         2-5:00 PM and 6-7:00 PM

Sunday            2-5:00 PM

Prior arrangement must be made with the staff for small children to visit.  Various clergy make rounds daily and are available for spiritual counsel. 

Laundry

All laundry will be cleaned by hospital staff.  The Hospital provides bed linens, towels, and pajamas.  A washing machine is available on the unit for delicates and hand wash items only.

Valuables

All valuables should be checked with nursing staff at time of admission.  The Hospital is not responsible for any item(s) you keep with you.

Staff Ethics

All staff is required to abide by ethical standards.  Some of these standards relate to interactions with patients and former patients.

It is our expectation that unit rules will be followed and that behavior will be appropriate.  Please be considerate of everyone's privacy (including your own) and do not share or discuss any fellow patients' name or information.  All counseling sessions, groups and visits with the health care professionals will require you to be out of bed.    

THE FIRST 24 HOURS OF YOUR STAY:

1.     You will be expected to give a urine sample upon admission.

2.     Females will need to take a pregnancy test.

3.     You will be given a tour of the unit.

4.     If you are here for alcohol withdrawal, your vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, temp) are taken every two hours during the first 8 hours.

5.     The Physician or Allied Health Professional will see you in the first 12 hours.

6.     The doctor who is assigned to you will see you once during your stay.

7.     Only water is allowed after midnight for fasting blood work in the AM. The lab comes at 7:00 am.

8.     If your condition allows, you will be expected to attend AA/NA meetings on the unit. After the first 24 hours, if your condition allows, you will be expected to attend AA/NA meetings held off the unit.

9.     One of the counselors will see you for your initial interview.