Admission criteria

Before a program may admit a client, the client must: 1. Meet diagnostic criteria for a substance dependence disorder of the DSM; and 2. Meet specifications in each of the six ASAM patient placement criteria dimensions. Specifically, the client must: a. Have no signs or symptoms of withdrawal or have withdrawal needs that can be safely managed by the program; b. Not have a physical condition or complication impacting immediate safety and well-being requiring twenty-four-hour medical or nursing interventions and the client is capable of self-administering any prescribed medications; c. Not have an emotional, behavioral, or cognitive condition or complication impacting immediate safety and well-being, requiring twenty-four-hour medical or nursing interventions unless in a dual diagnosis program; d. Be at a stage of readiness to change in which the client requires twenty-four-hour structured milieu, acknowledges the existence of a substance use problem, is capable of self-care, and is sufficiently ready to change or is appropriately placed in a level I outpatient services or level II intensive outpatient services and is receiving clinically managed low-intensity residential care concurrently because of the need for engagement and motivational strategies or requires a twenty-four-hour structured milieu to promote treatment progress and recovery because past motivational strategies on an outpatient treatment have failed or the client is unable to make behavior changes without the support of a structured environment; or has a history of compulsive, relapse-prone chronicity or organic-related difficulties as a result of the client's abuse of alcohol or other drugs; e. Be in imminent danger of relapse with dangerous emotional, behavioral, or cognitive consequences because of limited coping skills to address relapse triggers and cravings; or because the client is unable to consistently address the substance dependence disorder in spite of understanding it and is at risk in a less structured level of care or without staff support to maintain engagement while transitioning to life in the community; or because of other issues such as postponing immediate gratification and these issues are being addressed concurrently in a level II program; and f. Require a twenty-four-hour supportive setting because the client is at moderately high risk of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; or is assessed as being unable to achieve or maintain sobriety at a less intensive level of care because substance use in the client's recovery environment is so endemic; or lacks social contacts or has inappropriate social contacts that jeopardize recovery; or is unlikely to recover because of continued exposure to school, work, or living environment and insufficient resources and skills to maintain an adequate level of functioning; or is in danger of victimization by another; and is able to cope for limited periods of time outside of the twenty-four-hour structure to pursue clinical, vocational, educational, and community activities.