Hospitals treat a broad range of drug use-related conditions and populations presenting those needs. Detoxification and medical rehabilitation are two of the primary services provided in a hospital. However, some drug abusers who do not have health insurance use the hospital emergency room as their source for primary and other care. Others are admitted to the hospital for a medical or psychiatric illness that is a consequence of drug-using behavior. Each of these individuals is difficult to track within the addiction continuum of care, and each needs differing levels of care and case management to avoid future hospitalizations.
Every hospital is in a position to test patients for alcohol and drug abuse treatment.
Often, serious complications from drugs and alcohol occur at times when the hospital is the provider. Also, accidents and illnesses are often complicated by drug or alcohol use. Hospital-based drug use data can provide a valuable resource for local networks. Because of the recession in the early 1990s, State governments began to reduce their budgets. Other reductions in Medicaid attempted to cut eligibility requirements of recipients and services reimbursed under each State's Medicaid plan.