Introduction
There is no need to explain the importance of a treatment facility when it comes to substance abuse. Substance abuse, the addiction to prescription medication, alcohol, and illegal drugs can affect everyone regardless of ethnicity, educational background, gender, and age (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, 2011). The negative impact can be seen everywhere (Popova et al., 2007). It is therefore important to have a treatment facility that has outpatient and inpatient care (Bennett & Holloway, 2008). This is to ensure that there is a service available to deal with the varying levels of intervention needed (SAMHSA, 2011). In the case of York, Pennsylvania two treatment facilities will be examined in this report and these are Altoona Residential and Colonial House, Inc.
White Deer Run
This treatment facility is located at 104 Davies Drive York, PA. It is an organization that offers a broad range of alcohol rehabilitation programs and drug treatment options that were designed to help not only the individual but also their family (White Deer Run, 2011). Before anything else the facility initiates a chemical dependency assessment; it is a tool to determine the level of care that is appropriate for the individual seeking treatment (White Deer Run, 2011). There is no indication that the facility discriminates based on sex, religion, age, race, and other criteria that can bar entry for those seeking help.
The facility has both inpatient and outpatient programs. In their inpatient program, the facility offers inpatient non-hospital detoxification. This program is administered through the assistance of professionals such as physicians, RN’s, LPN’s and PA’s and all are trained when it pertains to the withdrawal of substances (White Deer Run, 2011).
The facility also offers inpatient residential chemical dependency rehabilitation, a program aimed at physical, mental, and spiritual rehabilitation. But for clients that do not require 24-hour care but a more intensive outpatient treatment, White Deer Run offers partial hospitalization programs. The patients are expected to work with the staff from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Saturday and 9:00 Am to 1:00 PM Sunday (White Deer Run, 2011).
Regular outpatient care is available in this facility. It can be subdivided into three groups: 1) outpatient individual therapy; 2) outpatient group therapy, and 3) outpatient family therapy. With regards to the first, the facility offers one-on-one hourly counseling that focuses on stress, anxiety, and other emotional concerns as well as issues on chemical dependency. The second type of outpatient care utilizes the power of the group to deal with issues relating to chemical dependency. The third type of outpatient family therapy provides the entire family, not only the patient, with education and other forms of support regarding the problem of chemical dependency.
Colonial House, Inc.
This treatment facility is located at 1300 Woodberry Road York, PA. Aside from the financial aspect that has to be determined before admission, the facility does not discriminate based on sex, religion, age, race, and other criteria that can hinder anyone from seeking help. However, the facility strictly adheres to a policy that requires all clients to be “ambulatory, capable of self-care and free from the effects of mind-altering drugs for at least two days before admission” (Colonial House, Inc., 2011). However, the facility has a detoxification facility available for those requiring this type of service. At the same time, the facility can provide transportation within a 400 miles radius.
The inpatient care of the facility is characterized by a 90-day program and this is a holistic treatment that requires clients to attend Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous meetings daily. It also includes a relapse prevention track based on a Gorski relapse prevention module (Colonial House, Inc., 2011). Aside from this information, the facility does not provide additional details about its program.
Outpatient care is characterized by a 12-week program and the client is expected to attend one session a week and if needed two sessions per week. The distinctive characteristic of this program is that it is offered in both English and Spanish. The primary focus is on relapse prevention. This is achieved by developing coping skills as well as regular sessions concerning the stresses related to chemical dependency.
The intensive outpatient program on the other hand requires 18 weeks to complete. This program is also offered in both English and Spanish. This program consists of group and individual sessions. The primary focus is also on relapse prevention. The facility offers education and other forms of support to help the patient deal with the realities of chemical dependency. This program also includes couples and family sessions if deemed necessary.
Conclusion
These two treatment facilities offer standard programs such as inpatient and outpatient care. However, for clients that are prone to relapse intensive outpatient care is also provided by both White Deer Run and Colonial House, Inc. In the case of White Deer Run, the facility provides clear information of what the facility and its programs can hope to achieve. It also has partner institutions that can be used for detoxification purposes and if needed a halfway house for those requiring an environment that can help them re-adjust to a normal life free from substance abuse. Colonial House, Inc. does not offer the same type of services as White Deer Run.
References
Bennett, T. & K. Holloway. (2008). Identifying and preventing health problems among young drug-misusing offenders. Health Education, 108(3): 247-261.
Colonial House, Inc. (2011). Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment. Web.
Popova, S. et al. (2007). Illegal drug-attributable morbidity in Canada 2002. Drug and Alcohol Review, 26, 251-263.
SAMHSA. (2011). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Web.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. (2011). Referral and Resource Guide for Adolescent Chemical Dependency Treatment. Web.
White Deer Run. (2011). White Deer Run Treatment Centers. Web.