Chemical Abuse Prevention Program (CAPP)

St. James Mercy Health has adopted the philosophy that chemical abuse/addition is a significant health problem to a large population of individuals. Chemical abuse/addition is a chronic progressive disease which is best treated early in the disease before the patient develops late stage complications. Hospitals are appropriate settings for chemical abuse identification, intervention and referral. Education is paramount to understanding chemical abuse/addition.

A hospital intervention service of St. James Mercy Health, the Chemical Abuse Prevention Program (CAPP) provides information and assistance to those patients who have a chemical abuse problem. The focus of CAPP is to detect and interrupt the patient's progressive abuse or addition in the early stage before the late stage develops.

For those patients who do screen positive for an alcohol or drug problem, a full assessment is done. Through this assessment it is discovered which stage of addiction or abuse the patient is in and a decision is made as to whether the patient would benefit from a brief or full intervention.

A brief intervention provides counseling and education to the patient who cannot be diagnosed as alcohol or drug dependent but is abusing alcohol or drugs.

A full intervention provides counseling and education and a referral for alcohol or drug treatment to the patient who is diagnosed as either alcohol or drug dependent.

CAPP provides appropriate referrals for family members who may approach us about their concerns. It also provides a community resource for information regarding alcohol, drugs and family concerns.

For further information about St. James Mercy Health's Intervention Service/Chemical Abuse Prevention Program, call (607) 324-8130.