Patient Care Services

Individualized Treatment
Because each patient's situation is different, counselors develop an individualized treatment plan that includes

• counseling (individual, group, marriage)
• medical care (if needed)
• support groups
• education
• family support

Because of the variety of groups and programs available, patients have tremendous flexibility in participating in just the right ones to meet their needs. Day, evening and inpatient programs are available. We also offer art therapy, exercise programs and peer groups as well as educational lectures and films.

Specialized Programs
Addiction/chemical dependency is a biopsychosocial disease that is progressive in nature and prone to relapse. With this in mind, we have developed programs that help patients deal with every stage of their disease, from crisis intervention and initial diagnosis through inpatient or outpatient recovery, and finally long-term support to prevent relapse.

Programs are varied in nature and customized to meet the unique needs and circumstances of patients and family members. At all times our services maintain the confidentiality, respect, dignity and individuality of each participant.

Greenwich Hospital's Addiction Recovery program is licensed by the State of Connecticut and approved by the The Joint Commission, a national quality review organization.

Outpatient Programs

• Day Outpatient Program
  The Day Outpatient Program allows patients to receive intense treatment during the day and return home afterward. Patients typically attend four days a week for eight weeks. Schedules are individualized to accomodate the patient's needs. An Extended Outpatient Day Treatment Program is also available.
  • Older Adults Program
    Older people often experience loneliness and poor health. Late-onset alcoholism is a growing phenomenon among older people, but one that can often be treated with good results at the Addiction Recovery program.
  • Women's Program
    Research has shown that women are prescribed prescription medications at twice the rate of men. Women process alcohol differently, get sicker more quickly and suffer more physiological problems when they abuse alcohol or drugs. Our program addresses these differences and helps women through the recovery process.
• Evening Outpatient Program
  Many patients who are working or have other commitments during the day benefit from treatment through our Evening Outpatient Program. Clients attend three-hour sessions four nights a week for four to eight weeks, depending on their individualized needs.

Inpatient Programs
Patients who need ongoing medical care or who have not had success in the Outpatient Program may be eligible for our Inpatient Program. During their stay, patients will be medically stabilized and will learn to identify obstacles in their path to recovery. Patients often progress to the Day or Evening Outpatient Program.

• Inpatient Medically-Managed Detoxification Program
  The Detoxification Program at Greenwich Hospital is a fully licensed acute care program. It provides medically-directed detoxification and related treatments aimed at alleviating acute emotional, behavioral and physical distress resulting from the patient's use of alcohol or other drugs.
  
  Patients receive care from a highly-trained, experienced multidisciplinary team. A physician is available 24 hours a day to manage the medical care of the patient. The medical director is a certified addictionologist and a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Registered nurses with experience in addiction treatment offer primary care and observation 24 hours a day.

Admission Process
Admission to the Addiction Recovery program at Greenwich Hospital is voluntary. Patients seeking treatment may be admitted by their own physician. If they do not have a physician, they can be seen by a member of the hospital's medical staff. Patients are usually first referred for a pre-admission screening. Following this screening, a diagnostic assessment is performed. The assessment gathers a variety of information on the patient's medical background, history of substance abuse, and psychosocial functioning. However, the assessment may be bypassed if a patient is in crisis.

Our Staff
Our highly trained addiction professionals are experienced in treating all aspects of chemical dependency and the addiction process, including alcoholism, addiction to cocaine, heroin and prescription drugs, as well as multiple addictions. The multidisciplinary team includes physicians, registered nurses, pharmacists, registered dietitians physical therapists, addiction counselors, social workers, family therapists, and clergy. Our physicians, nurses and counselors are certified in addiction counseling and the staff-to-patient ratio is 2:1.

The skills of the clinicians at the Addiction Recovery Program go far beyond helping patients rid their bodies and minds of addictive substances. Counselors teach patients skills to solve problems in their lives and deal with stress and family difficulties - all potential triggers for relapse.

In addition, because the program is based at Greenwich Hospital, patients who have complex cases or underlying medical problems have access to the talents and broad expertise of the entire Greenwich Hospital staff.

The Role of Families
Families play a large role in the recovery of anyone suffering from an addiction. Addiction recovery programs help families understand the addiction and recovery process. They learn how to put the addiction in perspective and not feel guilty, to detach and take care of themselves during the process, and finally, to focus on recovery instead of addiction. Family Day is observed every Sunday for both inpatients and outpatients of the program. During the week, support groups help families share their experiences with other families who have been through similar experiences.

Relapse Prevention
Because of the complex nature of addiction, most patients may be susceptible to relapse if not given the proper skills to cope with life after treatment. Our program weaves relapse prevention skills through all aspects of treatment, whether it's learning to face a small problem before it becomes a larger one, or knowing how to identify triggers for relapse. In addition, we offer a specialized program for people who have had chronic problems with relapses. This outpatient program offers evaluation and personalized treatment to break the addiction/relapse cycle.

Specialized Support Groups
Family Support Groups: Educational and support groups meet during the week. Programs available for spouses, families, and adults or adolescent children.

Couples Counseling: This four-week program brings together four couples in crisis. Guided by a counselor, the group focuses on one couple per week.

Continuing Care Group: This affordable program helps people who have completed treatment continue to receive the support and guidance they need over the long term. May be especially helpful for patients with complex situations or addictions. Meets once a week.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous: In addition to the programs offered at Greenwich Hospital, patients are encouraged to participate in 12-Step self-help groups. Patients will receive information about meeting dates and times.

Contact Us
For information on any of the programs or services offered through the Addiction Recovery Program at Greenwich Hospital, please call (203) 863-HOPE (4673), or our admissions coordinator, (203) 863-3279. We also have a Speakers Bureau for on-site presentations to business or community organizations. Call (203) 863-3570.