Establishing a substance abuse treatment program: considerations for the administrator.

More health care facilities are involved in the delivery of substance abuse treatment today than ever before. A program or health care facility administrator needs to be well informed before attempting to establish a treatment program. A knowledge of both the illness and the available treatment options is necessary to evaluate effectively the fiscal and community benefits of providing alcohol and chemical abuse and dependence treatment. The most successful long-term benefits are seen when community services are coordinated and persons seeking treatment are referred to the treatment program that best suits their individual needs. Education--of both hospital personnel and the community--is the foundation of any treatment program. Prevention and early intervention are the cornerstones of treatment. A broad view of the problems related to substance abuse will aid the administrator in a careful assessment of the needs of the community. Only then can the administrator benefit the institution and the entire community.