Polydrug Detoxification Unit

Abstract

In November 1973, a 16-bed polydrug detoxification unit was opened at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. The primary objective of the unit is to develop a better understanding of the polydrug abuser and to develop detoxification and psychological treatment procedures which can be applied in other settings. Criteria for admission to the unit includes primary dependency on abusable substances other than alcohol or heroin (i.e. barbiturates, other sedative-hypnotics, amphetamines, hallucinogens, etc.). Each patient is admitted to the program for a 30-day inpatient stay. The expertise of multiple health care disciplines is used collectively to provide intensive therapeutic management of the patient. Pharmacy participation began as a clinical rotation for Pharm.D. students. Subsequently, a full-time clinical pharmacist was hired by the project and his activities have become an integral part of the functioning of the program. Pharmacy involvement has included participation in the following areas: (1) obtain initial drug history to determine patient eligibility, (2) determine need for detoxification regimen, (3) aid in the development of individual patient drug withdrawal protocols, (4) monitor urine and blood drug levels for abusable substances and secondary drug interference, (5) serve as a drug information and drug abuse education resource person, and (6) tabulate pertinent individual patient drug abuse data. Participation on this unit has provided the pharmacist with valuable clinical expertise in the management of the polydrug abuser and has established another potentially useful role for the clinically-trained pharmacist.