Gracie Square Hospital Dual Focus Program

The Basics

Since 1959, Gracie Square Hospital has provided inpatient psychiatric care for the Greater New York metropolitan area, with a 157-bed facility in New York, New York. Offering long and short-term programs dedicated to adult and geriatric clients, a specialized psychiatric unit for Asian clients also exists. For those experiencing substance abuse as an additional diagnosis to a mental illness, the Dual Focus Program provides short-term inpatient care.

Accommodations and Food

Clients are accommodated in dual-occupancy rooms that have attached bathrooms, though there is little division between the various units on the floor. The hospital provides all linens as well as gowns that contribute to a clinical environment. Little opportunity is provided for entertainment outside of reading and TV, as the main focus in medical treatment rather. Meals are provided through the cafeteria and are typical of hospital food. Dietary restrictions are accommodated, but substitutions are limited.

Treatment and Staff

Understanding that treating mental health separately to substance abuse is detrimental to clients, Gracie Square introduced the dual focus program. Blending psychiatric services with evidence-based addiction treatment has created a flexible individualized program for clients with co-occurring disorders. Medically monitored detox from all substances is provided, with continuous supervision and regular evaluations ensuring treatment goals are met.

Clients are often admitted to this program after the stress of early abstinence proved difficult, resulting in either relapse or acute onset of a psychiatric illness. A short-term program, most clients don’t stay longer than 10 days. Often, a supportive medical environment where they can safely detox or receive appropriate medication management is sufficient to create stability. Medical and clinical directors oversee treatment, which includes medical, neurological and psychological consultations with individually tailored discharge plans.

Once medically stable, clients are kept busy, attending psychiatric consults, community meetings and group therapy daily. At nightly on-site 12-step meetings, clients are able to hear from speakers with similar issues that have obtained long-term recovery. Education classes focus on relapse prevention, helping clients identify triggers and healthy communication skills.

In addition to CADCs, LCSWs and case managers, each individual has access to a medical emergency team, which includes a medical doctor, nursing supervisor and the registered nurse responsible for the client.

Extras

Activities and recreation are coordinated separately for each individual, with art, music, dance, cooking and grooming potentially available.

For families, weekend substance abuse courses and Alanon meetings are held, with this being the only time allowed for visitation. A psychiatric social worker evaluates clients and helps connect them and their family to needed community or social services. This may include benefit determination, housing and aftercare.

In Summary

Though offering much needed services for clients with co-occurring disorders, the Dual Focus Program at Gracie Square Hospital provides little more than basic services. The access to emergency and acute-care medical services is great for those experiencing a psychiatric, substance abuse crisis.

Gracie Square Hospital
420 East 76^th St
New York, NY 10021

Gracie Square Hospital Cost: Insurance. Reach Gracie Square Hospital by phone at (212) 988-4400 or by email at info@nygsh.org.

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