TOXICOLOGY ASSOCIATES

PRE-ADMISSION EVALUATION

1. ARE YOU 18 YEARS OF OLDER?

If YES, go to Question 2. If NO, go to special criteria for under 18.

2. ARE YOU CURRENTLY USING OPIATE DRUGS?

If YES, go to Question 3. If NO, go to Question 2b.

2b. ARE YOU SICK FROM WITHDRAWAL?

If YES, go to Question 3. If NO, go to Exceptions to current dependence.

3. HAVE YOU BEEN USING OPIATE DRUGS CONTINUOUSLY OR INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE YEAR?

If YES, go to Question 4. If NO, go to Long-term detoxification.

4. ARE YOU CURRENTLY ON A METHADONE PROGRAM OR RECENTLY DISCHARGED FROM A METHADONE PROGRAM?

If YES, bring documentation, and go to Question 5. If NO, refer to a free clinic.

5. CAN YOU AFFORD THE FEES OF A PRIVATE METHADONE PROGRAM?

If YES, go to Question 6. If NO, refer to a free clinic.

6. SCHEDULE ADMISSION EVALUATION APPOINTMENT AND REQUEST THAT ANY DOCUMENTATION BY PRESENTED, i.e. prescriptions, pharmacy records, prescription bottles, prior treatment, driver’s license, birth certificate or other ID.

IF ORAL DRUG USE, are witnesses such as family members or significant others available to provide “witness of use” statements?

SPECIAL CRITERIA FOR UNDER 18 YEARS OLD:

Patients under 18 are required to have two documented attempts of short-term detoxification or drug-free treatment to be admitted to maintenance. They must have appropriate consent to treatment per State regulations, must have a positive opiate drug screen, and examination by the program physician before admission (26TexReg5585).

EXCEPTIONS TO CURRENT DEPENDENCE:

Pregnant patients who have had documented dependence in the past and are at risk for returning to opiate use may be admitted without evidence of current dependence if certified by the program physician as appropriate for maintenance.

A person who has resided in a penal or chronic care institution for one month or longer may be admitted to Methadone maintenance within six months of release without evidence of current opiate dependence, if they would have qualified for Methadone maintenance treatment at the time of their incarceration or hospitalization.

A person who has successfully detoxified from Methadone maintenance may return to Methadone maintenance within two years of discharge without evidence of current opiate dependence. (See Regulations for details, 26TexReg5585).

LONG-TERM DETOXIFICATION:

Patients may be admitted to long-term detoxification. One year of addiction is not required. The physician must determine that short-term detoxification is not sufficient to meet the patient’s needs. Six-day attendance at the clinic is required. Medication schedule must target drug-free state within 180 days. (26TexReg5585).