Changing trends in treatment of substance abuse: a look at some of the factors involved in third-party providers and treatment planning.
In order to better focus our care in providing patients with treatment that matched their needs, an inpatient study was done on patient discharges for 1990 involving 267 patients. Our study points out the influence of the changing drug scene in this country. In approximately 40% of the patients admitted, the drug of choice is other than alcohol. The importance of family and employer involvement in effective treatment stands out. Fewer patients are being admitted but those admitted are sicker and require more treatment. Chemical dependency programs in Louisiana and the United States are experiencing significant declines in the utilization of their service and many are closing. The patient census has been impaired primarily by the expense of or lack of insurance coverage by third-party payors. For patients with insurance coverage the criteria for inpatient treatment by third-party reviewers are so stringent that staff assessment recommendations are frequently over-ruled. Substance abuse is a chronic relapsing illness, yet many insurance companies limit coverage both in time and money. In no other field of medicine do patients leave treatment prematurely as they do in substance abuse.
Pourciau
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Our Lady of the Lake Tau Center, Baton Rouge, La 70809.
Sanders
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Buckel
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000639:trends*; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States
D013287:Illicit Drugs