Program criteria

A social detoxification program must provide: 1. Hospital affiliation providing twenty-four-hour medical backup; 2. A trained staff member familiar with complications associated with alcohol and other drug use and with community resources awake on all shifts; 3. A quite, positive atmosphere; 4. Use of detoxification time as preparation for referral to another level of care; and 5. Recognition of the chronic nature of the disease of substance dependence and the fact that some clients will require multiple admissions.