Residential and Outpatient Handbook - Plymouth - 2

Residential Services
Understanding Your Situation
We understand how difficult and confusing it can be to
reach out for help with substance use. But you've come to
the right place. It's time to get your life back.
Residential Services
Now that you're here, you probably have a lot of
questions about what will happen next. This section
gives you information about our programs and describes
each step you will take in your recovery program at
Hazelden Betty Ford. If you have additional questions,
your counselor will be happy to answer them.
Your First Few Days
Many patients spend their first night on the Medical
Services Unit. If you do, you will meet with the nurse
on duty, who will take your vital signs (temperature,
pulse and blood pressure) and ask you health-related
questions in order to evaluate your current physical and
emotional health needs. For the first three days you are
here, you are expected to come to the nurses' station
four times per day, as directed by medical staff, to have
a nurse check your vital signs. During your first night
here, a nurse will awaken you twice to check your vital
signs. Medical staff will ensure that any withdrawal
symptoms are treated appropriately.
Once you are cleared medically, we will assign you a
room that you will share with up to three other patients.
During your first week you will attend several
orientation groups. We will continue to assess your
medical needs, and you will be required to undergo
a physical examination by one of our attending
physicians, along with blood testing, urinalysis,
and a tuberculosis screening. As part of your initial
assessment, you will answer questionnaires. The results
help us evaluate your needs and keep you safe, so it is
important that you answer the questions openly and
honestly.
Total abstinence from mood-altering substances is
a crucial part of Hazelden Betty Ford's philosophy.
Therefore, we must insist that you do not use alcohol,
nicotine, or other drugs during your treatment stay.
You will learn how to make use of the Twelve Steps
of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to make healthy
improvements in your lifestyle and to stay sober. Use of
alcohol or drugs, or misuse of prescription medication
may result in discharge from treatment.
Medical Services
Medical care for our patients, when needed, is provided
by on-site doctors and nurses who specialize in
adolescent and young adult care.
You may be assigned a room in the Medical Services
Unit (MSU) the first day you are here. Nurses will check
your vital signs four times a day, for a total of 14 times
over the first 72 hours after being admitted. You will also
get a physical and blood work within the first 72 hours.
Please come to the nursing desk at designated times to
have your vital signs checked. Nursing will determine
when you are physically stable to participate in wellness
activities.
We will try to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
We know and understand that for many of our patients,
the detoxification process can be very uncomfortable.
We use a variety of medications to help with the
cravings and discomfort of withdrawal. Nicotine
cessation medications are available as well.
1
Residential and Outpatient Handbook - Plymouth

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Residential and Outpatient Handbook - Plymouth
