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Inpatient Treatment at UHS Binghamton General Hospital

Addiction Medicine 3

We are here to help you. Our well-trained team uses a holistic approach for treating substance use disorders in our 20-bed inpatient unit in UHS Binghamton General Hospital. When patients arrive, our provider performs an admission history and physical and, as appropriate, manages medical problems and continues home medications. Where indicated, we treat alcohol and opioid withdrawal and start patients with opioid use disorder on Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone).

Individual and group counseling, structured activities, and educational sessions form the backbone of the inpatient experience.  A treatment plan, created by patients and their counselors, addresses potential challenges that lie ahead. Patients are discharged with linkage to resources needed to maintain sobriety including housing, medical and mental health care, and further substance use disorder treatment. Upon successful inpatient discharge, patients prescribed Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) may be admitted to our Medication-Assisted Treatment Program (methadone clinic) or our Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) Program.

How Can I Get Help?

Self-Referral

If you are interested in attending our inpatient program, you will need to get an assessment first.  We are pleased to offer open access for substance use disorder assessments.  Due to COVID-19, our assessments are over the phone.  Please call (607) 762-3288 between the hours of 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. 

Our team of licensed social workers and Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors will speak with you to determine if you have a substance use disorder and if inpatient treatment is appropriate for you; if it is not appropriate, we will develop an alternative plan to meet your needs.

Treatment Facility Referral

Please fax the requested referral information to (607) 762-2770. After receiving this paperwork, our staff will contact your program to discuss admission or alternative treatment options, as appropriate.

About Our Program

Length of Stay

The New Horizons inpatient program is a variable length of stay program, with most patients averaging 14 days in treatment. However, additional treatment time may be approved based on your needs.

Special Populations

We welcome pregnant women with substance use disorders and partner with local OB/GYN providers to ensure that they receive prenatal care during their treatment. Pregnant women with opioid use disorder are given priority for admission to the Medication for Addiction Treatment Program (methadone clinic) and are offered enrollment in our comprehensive pregnancy program.

Insurance Accepted

We accept most forms of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. Please note that prior authorization for inpatient treatment may be required. 

Financial advocacy and assistance services are available to help patients navigate concerns about hospital bills, health insurance coverage, financial assistance, or other similar issues. More information regarding these services can be found here.

Treatment Program

Our program offers both individual and group counseling. Therapy, activity, and education groups provide an intense and comprehensive experience. Patients learn about the disease of addiction, relapse prevention, and how to restructure their lives around positive patterns and activities.

Therapy Groups

Our therapy groups employ cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to teach recovery skills to patients with substance use disorders. Patients learn about the interaction between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and are given tools to address negative thinking. Discussion topics include the relapse process, stress management, forming healthy relationships, setting boundaries, building a sober support system, and coping with anger, frustration, resentment, and loss.

Activity Groups

Our activity groups offer a "hands-on" approach to recovery and sober recreation. They include both structured activities and unstructured opportunities for creative expression and relaxation. Patients may engage in exercise, coloring, crafting, writing, and games.

Education Groups

Our daily cognitive behavioral education groups encourage patients to practice changing their thoughts and behaviors in a safe environment. This evidence-based curriculum includes managing cravings and negative emotions; assertive communication; and problem solving, coping, and refusal skills.

Other educational groups are provided on a rotating basis and address physical and psychosocial wellness. Topics include HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, tobacco cessation, managing pain without opioids, post-acute withdrawal, healthy eating, mindfulness, stress management, and the relationship between substance use and mental health. Patients are also given opioid overdose prevention, recognition, and response education and are linked to naloxone.

Medication For Addiction Treatment

Patients at risk for alcohol and opioid withdrawal are monitored and treated with medication as needed. Patients with opioid use disorder are offered a Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) taper or are started on that medication for maintenance, as indicated. Patients interested in Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) maintenance are assessed for eligibility for our  Medication-Assisted Treatment program (methadone clinic) and our Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) programs. Where appropriate, patients are admitted to either program upon successful inpatient discharge.

The Inpatient Experience

Patients can expect a full day of programming centered around education, activities, and groups. Patients have ample opportunity for self-reflection and physical activity. Meals are selected from a menu.

Sample Daily Schedule

7:00 AM

Wake Up

2:15 PM

Activity Group

7:30 AM

Morning Reflections

4:00 PM

Education Group

8:00 AM

Breakfast

5:15 PM

Dinner

9:00 AM

Community Meeting

6:00 PM

Exercise (optional)

9:30 AM

Therapy Group

7:00 PM

Recovery Activity

10:45 AM

Exercise (optional)

8:00 PM

Daily Review

11:15 AM

Education Group

9:00 PM

Meditation (optional)

12:15 PM

Lunch

10:00 PM

Lights Out

1:15 PM

Education Group

 

 

Visiting Hours

Due to COVID-19, in-person visitation is not permitted at this time. Virtual visitation via Facetime or Google Hangouts can be facilitated using hospital-provided technology during designated visitation hours, and at staff discretion.

Phone Time

Open phone times are limited to help you focus on your recovery. Your counselor will arrange phone time outside of scheduled hours, if needed. You will receive a phone schedule and our unit numbers upon admission.

Planning Your Stay

A successful stay takes a little bit of planning. Please consult the list below as you prepare for your visit. We have a washer and dryer available for your use.

What to Bring

Please bring:

  • Three sets of daily clothing, including:
    • 3 pairs of pants or long shorts
    • 3 short-sleeved shirts (sleeveless shirts cannot be worn alone)
    • 3 long-sleeved shirts
    • Up to five sets of underwear
    • Two sets of sleepwear
       
  • One pair of outdoor shoes (sneakers, boots, etc.)
  • One pair of flip flops or other shower shoes
  • ID and insurance cards

Optional:

  • Bathrobe
  • Limited personal hygiene items (must fit within a clear quart-sized bag and cannot contain alcohol)
  • Pillow and blanket
What Not to Bring

Do not bring:

  • Excess clothing
  • Revealing clothing
  • Clothing that glorifies alcohol or drug use
  • Clothing that cannot be put through the washer or dryer
  • Tobacco products, including e-cigarettes or vape pens
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Items containing alcohol
  • Drugs or drug paraphernalia
  • Cell phones or other electronic devices
  • Food and beverages
  • Perfumes, colognes, or other strongly scented items
  • Electric hair clippers
  • Large amounts of money or other valuables
Questions?

Please contact the UHS New Horizons inpatient staff at (607) 762-2255 with questions about what to bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How are you keeping your patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?

A: We take great care to ensure the safety of all patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in our infection prevention and control procedures include, but are not limited to:

  • Staff screening for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors before each shift. 
  • We provide COVID-19 testing for patients within 72 hours of admission.
  • Upon admission, patients are placed on a three day “limited exposure period” during which they are restricted to a private room and are tested twice for COVID-19. During this limited exposure period, patients receive all indicated medical care and may virtually participate in group educations and individual therapy. Patients are released from the limited exposure period and may join the therapeutic milieu upon receipt of two negative COVID-19 results.
  • Patients are required to wear approved masks, covering their mouth and nose, except when eating or sleeping.
  • Groups and meals are monitored for appropriate social distancing.
  • Patients are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms throughout their stay.
  • High-touch surfaces are frequently disinfected.
  • Unit staff work closely with the hospital Medical Command Center and the Infection Prevention and Control Department to ensure patients remain safe and healthy while in treatment.
Q: Do you detox?

A: New Horizons is licensed as an inpatient treatment facility and not as a withdrawal and stabilization (detox) facility. However, nursing and provider staff are available at all times and medical management of withdrawal is provided to patients as clinically indicated. If a patient’s withdrawal management needs require more acute medical attention, a patient may be therapeutically discharged to a medical unit and readmitted to treatment after stabilization.

Q: What should I bring with me?

A: Please see our packing list on this page. If you have further questions about what to bring, please call (607) 762-2255.

Q: Can I have visitors?

A: Due to COVID-19, in-person visitation is not permitted at this time. Virtual visitation via Facetime or Google Hangouts can be facilitated using hospital-provided technology during designated visitation hours and at staff discretion.

Q: Can I smoke while I’m in treatment?

A. No. Use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited. We offer nicotine replacement therapy, if indicated.

 

Q: Are inpatient New Horizons or the Addiction Treatment Program co-occurring disorders programs?

A: No. However, the educational groups in both facilities address concerns common to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Both programs ensure linkage to mental health services upon discharge, if needed.

Q: I don’t feel comfortable sharing in groups. Do I have to go to groups if I come to inpatient treatment?

A: We want to make sure that you get the most out of your stay, so group attendance is required in both of our inpatient programs. Patients admitted to our inpatient programs also have individual counseling sessions and will not be pressured to disclose things that they are uncomfortable sharing.

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