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Understanding Origins’ ASAM Certification

Posted on July 7, 2020

By Dr. Raju Mangrola, M.D. – Chief Psychiatrist, Origins Behavioral HealthCare

Origins Behavioral HealthCare is uniquely positioned to provide the most intensive level of treatment for medically and psychiatrically complex patients with substance use disorders. Origins’ program is one of very few that provides treatment at the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria level of 3.5 or 3.7, indicating medically complex care for patients who require intensive inpatient treatment.

3.5 and 3.7 ASAM Criteria Levels

The 3.5 and 3.7 ASAM Criteria levels include 24-hour nursing and daily physician care as well as counseling services for severe problems in the dimensions of 1,2 and 3. Respectively, these ASAM dimensions are defined as exploration of:

  1. An individual’s, past and current experiences of substance use and withdrawal
  2. Their health history and current physical condition
  3. Their thoughts, emotions and mental health issues

Across the country, Origins facilities receive patients who are more medically complex.

For instance, we treat patients who have advanced liver disease, including cirrhosis and complications related to cirrhosis such as cardiac and respiratory issues, issues related to chronic pain, arthritis and mobility, and cognitive dysfunction. From a psychiatric standpoint, we also receive patients who have a complex history of trauma as well as complicated cases of bipolar, severe major depressive and anxiety disorders.

Many of these complex patient cases have failed at other treatment facilities before arriving at Origins.

Under our advanced care, patients at Hannah’s House, Headwaters, Origins Recovery Center, and Hanley Center receive services resulting in good levels of medical stabilization and completion of therapeutic treatment. For example, Origins patients are provided with various modalities, including a 12-Step facilitation model, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Hanley Center at Origins is one of only a few treatment facilities that offers age-specific programming for older adults.

Since the majority of older adult cases fall within the ASAM Criteria level of 3.7 of higher, our level of care is highly beneficial in meeting the needs of this demographic. Hanley’s Center for Brain Recovery also provides psychological and neuropsychological testing, neurofeedback, and other CBT modalities.

Our comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach includes daily team meetings for an hour at a time, regular family consultations, referrals for specialty treatment, and close medical and psychiatric follow-up visits. These meetings are used to discuss and present cases and provide effective solutions.

Other treatment facilities have often referred us patients due to medical and psychiatric case complexity.

We have been able to accept most of these cases and treat them successfully in an effective and evidence-based manner. By offering these select services, Origins is able to provide better long-term recovery outcomes for patients and their families, meeting difficult challenges in a rewarding way.

Origins Behavioral Healthcare is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance abuse, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today:  561-841-1296.