Abstract
This article describes the evolution of the addiction nurse case manager's role in a substance abuse treatment program and the implementation of an outpatient treatment program based on current treatment trends. Three therapy phases of addiction treatment are described. Phase 1 therapy, is an assessment and educational phase teaching skills and imparting knowledge in coping skills training, 12-step study group, process group, a lecture group, and individual sessions. Phase 2 therapy, although less intensive, continues an educational component in a weekly aftercare group. Weekly meetings with a case manager provide an opportunity for reflection of recovery progress and relapse prevention. During phase 3 therapy the patients consolidate their progress and replace the void left by the drug's absence with relationships in the community. Retention rates and patient satisfaction reports in this program are favorable with reports in literature for outpatient addiction treatment.
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Notes on contributors
Beverly K. White
Beverly K. White is a Nurse Case Manager with the Substance Abuse Treatment Program at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, TemeSSee. She received her A.D.N. in 1W6 from Rochester Cornmunity College in Rochester, Minnesota , and completed her B.S.N. in 1993 from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. She has worked in Mental Health Nursing since 1978 and obtained her certification in Mental Health Nursing in 1990 and certification as a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse in 1997.
Lori L. Bouton
Lori Bouton is a Nurse Case Manager with the Substance Abusc Treatment Program at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center. Mountain Home, Tennessee. She received her B.S. in Psychology in 1986, her M.Ed. in Marriage and Family Counseling in 1989, and her B.S.N. in 1994 from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. Tennessee. She has worked in the Mental Health Field since 1989. She also has nursing experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Sharon K. Garris
Kay Ganis is a Nurse Case Manager with the Substance Abuse Treatment gram at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee. She received her A.D.N. in 1985 from East Tennessee State University. She has worked in Mental Health Nursing since 1988. She received her certification in Mental Health Nursing in 1990 and certification as a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse in 1997.
Peggy T. Humphreys
Peggy T. Humphreys is a Nurse Manager of a 41-bed psychiatric unit at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee. She received her B.S.N. from the University of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1964 and her Master of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, Health Science Division. Medical College of Virginia in 1974. She has worked in Nursing Management for the past 25 years and has been in Psychiatric Nursing for the past 2 years
Jesse R. Miltier
Jesse R. Miltier is a Nurse Case Manager with the Substance Abuse Treatment Program at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee. He received his B.S. in Nursing from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, in 1981. He has worked primarily in a psychiatric setting since 1976, as well as in Physical Rehabilitation since 1986. He has been certified in Mental Health Nursing since 1991, Rehabilitation Nursing since 1992, and Certified Addictions Registered Nurse in 1997.