Pre-admission screening
The future admissions process should screen for alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids and other substances; quantity and frequency; prior withdrawal complications; current medical symptoms; psychiatric risk; pregnancy; and medication use.
Referral when needed
If a patient requires a hospital or medically intensive withdrawal-management setting beyond the center’s habilitated scope, the appropriate step is referral—not forcing the admission.
Transition to residential care
Once medically stable and clinically appropriate, patients may transition into residential treatment with continuity of medications, records and treatment goals.