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Adult Residential Inpatient Program
Who needs inpatient treatment?
In simplest terms the addict who cannot achieve and maintain abstinence
from psychoactive drugs on an outpatient basis needs inpatient treatment.
When the cues and triggers to use alcohol and drugs are so pervasive that
the addict cannot function despite his or her best efforts at home,
the environment must be changed. Inpatient treatment offers a safe haven
where the only focus is on getting well and in learning the skills
necessary to function soberly.
Only an assessment by a skilled clinician can determine if inpatient
treatment is needed. During the assessment all areas of the patient’s
life are examined to determine how much damage has been caused by the
disease and how well the patient currently functions in daily life. The
final recommendation is not subjective but is based on clearly defined
quantifiable criteria of the severity of the patient’s disease. The patient
may accept or discard the recommendation. The assessment is free of charge
and usually takes an hour to hour and a half.
What happens in residential inpatient treatment?
Admission
We know that entering a treatment program is an unfamiliar and anxious
experience. We pride ourselves on making the admission process simple,
straightforward, and above all caring. If the patient does not need
detoxification we immediately assign a buddy, another patient who has
been in treatment for some time, to orient the patient to the facility
and the schedule. The patient receives a welcome packet and reading materials
and is to his or her fellow group members. In a matter hours the new patient
becomes part of the community that is the Lakeside-Milam inpatient center.
Withdrawal Regimen
Many patients come to inpatient treatment in moderate to severe withdrawal
from alcohol and other drugs that require detoxification, a medically supervised
process that safely over time (usually one to three days but sometimes longer)
allows the body to return to equilibrium. Depending on the drug ingested medication
may be prescribed by the Medical Director or Nurse Practitioner to ease withdrawal
discomfort. The nursing staff monitors the patient’s vital signs during this period.
To the extent that their mobility allows, detoxifying patients will take part in all
daily activities. Isolation is always avoided since it amplifies the anxiety that the
addict already feels.
Medical Evaluation
Within the first few days the patient receives a medical evaluation by a nurse
practitioner trained in addiction medicine. The evaluation will assess what physical
damage if any may have been caused by the addiction. Blood tests are taken, analyzed
and results are shared with patients and with their primary physicians if desired.
The Treatment Schedule
Since addiction is a brain disease which destructively changes how the victim acts,
thinks, and feels, treatment is the effort to bring those same functions back
into equilibrium. Each part of the Lakeside-Milam inpatient program is designed
to address each area of functioning and offer tools and information that a patient can
use to get well. Treatment is a labor-intensive process both for patients and staff.
The patient meets with the case manager who will guide him or her throughout the course
of treatment as well as facilitate the daily group sessions. While one thrust of treatment is
helping patients to stop seeing themselves as “different” and to identify the commonalties
of their disease, another focus must be placed on determining those individual problems
that if not addressed will block the patient’s recovery. The patient meets weekly with the
case manager to review progress as well as to identify any new problem areas detected.
Evenings are also structured to make wise use of the time in treatment. All patients attend
lectures to which family members are also invited. It is critical that patients and families
received the same core information about the disease of addiction and the path to
recovery. 12-step meetings are held every evening in the facility and patients are urged to
sign up for meetings in the community three nights per week. Patients are escorted to
outside meetings by LMRC alumni and will have the opportunity to meet potential
sponsors.
Communications & Visitation
Upon entering treatment there is a 72-hour communication “blackout” for all patients.
This time must be used to begin the focus on self that begins the rehabilitation process.
After this period public phones are available at specific times during the day.
Family Liaison staff are available to answer any questions that concerned family
members may have.
Visiting by family members takes place on Saturdays and Sundays. Each patient advises
the staff on those people who can be invited to visit. There must be a release signed by
the patient for any family member or friend who decides to visit the patient.
We also ask all visitors to honor the confidentiality of all patients in a LMRC program.
Our Staff
Like all well regarded health care providers we choose our staff from the medical director
to our maintenance personnel for their skill and experience in their jobs. We have
however one other requirement for which we carefully screen – an abiding belief in and
commitment to our mission and philosophy of care. We believe that every patient who
entrusts their treatment to us deserves our constant respect, compassion and intelligence.
We believe from our long experience that any addict who follows the path to recovery
laid out in the program can and will recover.
At Discharge
We emphasize throughout treatment that inpatient treatment is only the beginning of the
path to recovery. Upon discharge, every patient has a detailed continuing care and
recovery plan and an appointment to begin weekly continuing care, whenever possible on
the day of discharge. Our studies have found that these patients who attend continuing
care and involve themselves in 12-step programs do not suffer relapses. It is important
that family and friends support the patient’s active involvement in both.
Call us at Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers, where we really do put
families back together again. 800 231-4303.
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