Pre-Existing Health Conditions

The primary goal of solution for a pre-existing health condition is to provide a safe and humane environment for the patient to withdraw from a substance of dependence. This includes an attempt to reduce health risks of patients in life-threatening situations. For example, in cases of severe alcohol dependency, there is a risk of fatality during solution for a pre-existing health condition. Medications (e.g., chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, diazepam) can be administered to minimize withdrawal symptoms in such cases. Furthermore, there are safety precautions to consider when treating patients with preexisting health or psychological conditions. In circumstances in which patient safety is a significant risk, the individual may be sent to an acute care hospital (Biling, 2006).

The second goal of solution for a pre-existing health condition is to provide an opportunity for the patient to cease alcohol and/or drug use in a controlled setting. By removing the patient from his or her environment (e.g., decreasing contact with substance-using friends), he or she will be less likely to continue using substances (Chang, 2007). This goal is accomplished via provision of an environment that supports the physiological and social needs of the patient.

Because of the diversity among solution for a pre-existing health condition programs and individual patients, the final goal of solution for a pre-existing health condition programs is to meet patients' individual needs. Patients enter solution for a pre-existing health condition for a variety of reasons, including health, job, personal, relational, or criminal problems, and therefore may choose a program based on such circumstances. Furthermore, patients differ in terms of the severity and type of drug dependency, as well as coexisting mental and physical problems, and there are a variety of solution for a pre-existing health condition programs that cater to such specific conditions (Mattick, 2006). To ensure patients' safety in treatment placement, it is imperative to assess their history of alcohol and other drug use, medical and psychological history, and substance-related medical problems.

A thorough evaluation of these issues is critical, as this assessment provides the necessary information for a particular program to meet the patient's individual needs. Validated scales, such as the Addiction Severity Index, have been developed to screen patients and to assist in proper solution for a pre-existing health condition placement (McCrady, 2008).

Another way in which solution for a pre-existing health condition programs differ is in terms of treatment setting (i.e., inpatient or outpatient). Although patients can choose a program that best suits their personal, psychological, and social situation, it is crucial to first assess medical needs when choosing a solution for a pre-existing health condition treatment program. Severity of withdrawal symptoms and circumstances regarding one's job, family, insurance, support network, and environment are all factors that may influence the patient's choice of solution for a pre-existing health condition setting (Miller, 2006). The ideal setting for solution for a pre-existing health condition depends on each individual's needs.

Because preexisting disease are predictive of low BMI and poor survival, selecting out individuals with smoking history and/or preexisting disease at the ...