Characteristics of Patients and their Treatments at an Inpatient Facility for Detoxification and Treatment of Chemical Dependence

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the demographics of co-morbid disorders and drug abuse characteristics of patients admitted to an inpatient facility for detoxification and treatment of chemical dependency to characterize the treatment programs including the psychiatric medication usage and prescribing patterns and to identify differences between men and women. Methods: Criteria inclusion for admittance included a diagnosis of chemical dependence at Sierra Tucson Behavioral Health Hospital during the time of January through June 2004. Patients were admitted to that were diagnosed with a chemical dependency, identified using a past hospital census. Charts of previously discharged patients were obtained from the medical records department of the institution. Specific variables from each chart were extracted for further analysis utilizing a data form. Results: 285 (170 women and 115) men chemically dependent patients that were admitted during the six-month study period. In this patient population there was a high incidence, 76.84%, of co-morbid psychiatric conditions. The most frequently abused drugs in men were alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine. The most frequently abused drugs in women were alcohol, nicotine, and opiates. Men and women were most frequently placed on a librium based alcohol detoxification program, and secondly a buprenorphine based opiate detoxification program. There was statistical significant improvement in the of Beck Depression Inventory scale (BDI), Beck Hopelessness scale (BHS), and Global Assessment Function (GAF) scores at admit and discharge and a downward trend in Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) and Clinical Opiate Withdrawal (COW) scores. Implications: There was a high incidence of co-morbid psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety that were present in both genders. In men, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder/ Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD/ADD) was an additional common condition observed, while in women eating disorders were observed. The treatments provided led to an overall improvement in GAF, BDI, BHS, CIWA and COW scores indicating effectiveness of the treatment program.