Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment Clinic

Learn more about substance abuse treatment at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

Developing an addiction to substances can rapidly wreak havoc on an individual’s life. Characterized by behavioral patterns that consist of chronically and excessively using drugs and/or alcohol in order to elicit mind-altering and mood-altering effects, substance use disorders cause those battling them to continue to participate in these behavioral patterns despite the negative consequences that occur as a direct result. And even as these negative consequences continue to rise in severity, once an addiction has developed, it can be extremely difficult for these individuals to cease their use without professional help. The staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is sensitive to the nature that surrounds a drug and/or alcohol abuse problem and therefore offers specialized programming that designed specifically to meet the needs of those suffering from an addiction to substance(s).

San Juan Capestrano Hospital is a 172-bed, short-stay private psychiatric hospital located in Metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since opening in 1988, we have prided ourselves on being a leader in offering superior treatment for individuals who are suffering from any number of behavioral and emotional concerns, as well as those who are plagued by chemical dependency issues. By offering programming options for adolescents, adults, and senior adults, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is able to afford immediate, acute care that is individualized to meet the unique needs of each patient with whom we work. Our staff consists of numerous mental health professionals, as well as addiction specialists and experienced medical personnel, who are able to facilitate services that emphasize the strengths that our patients possess, while understanding the sensitivity of the concerns that they face. We are proud of our ability to provide the highest quality of individualized care for substance use disorders available in Puerto Rico through innovative and distinctive treatment options that are based on integrity, respect, and compassionate care. We remain steadfast in our commitment to afford our patients with a safe and nurturing environment that will promote recovery and allow each individual to return to his or her respective community with an overall improved sense of emotional and physical wellbeing.

If you or a loved one is struggling with the debilitating symptoms of substance abuse and addiction, look no further than San Juan Capestrano Hospital.

Helping a loved one get treatment for substance abuse

In the beginning, it can be difficult to detect that someone you love has developed a substance abuse problem as individuals tend to go to great lengths to keep their drug or excessive alcohol use a secret. However, there are some warning signs that you can look out for if suspicion arises. The following are a examples of signs that may be indicative that a problem with substance abuse has developed:

• Changes in eating and sleeping pattern
• Failure to adhere to daily responsibilities
• Drop in occupational or academic performance
• Frequent absences from work
• School refusal
• Sudden change in friends (especially in children and adolescents)
• Noticeable changes in one’s physical appearance (e.g. no longer caring how one looks, lack of hygiene, or significant weight loss)
• No longer participating in activities that one once enjoyed
• Drastic mood swings

If you have noticed these or any other unusual behaviors and/or changes in demeanor in your loved one, it is imperative that you confront him or her with your concerns so that appropriate treatment can be sought. Taking part in such a confrontation can be intimidating, but keeping the following tips in mind may make the process seem less threatening:

• Refrain from being accusatory of your loved one and try not to take on a lecturing tone. Acting in such a way will more than likely only elicit a defensive response from your loved one, causing the entire interaction to be counterproductive.
• Listen and try to be sympathetic. Remember that, whether he or she admits it or not, your loved one is already aware of the dangers of substance use and he or she needs help, not judgment.
• Do not get rid of any drugs and/or alcohol that you may find are in your loved one’s possession. While this may seem like an easy way to put an immediate end to the problem, it will only cause your loved one to become angry and hostile and to seek out more of his or her substance of choice.
• Ask for support and assistance from other people in your loved one’s life.
• Research viable treatment options and go through those options with your loved one, doing all that you can to make him or her feel comfortable with the idea of getting treatment.
• Offer your unconditional support and reassurance. Remember that recovery does not happen overnight and your involvement in the treatment process will heighten your loved one’s chance at having a successful outcome.

Why consider treatment for substance abuse at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

An addiction to drugs and/or alcohol can lead to great disruption in many, if not all, areas of an individual’s life. As the addiction grows in intensity and severity, the more of a priority it will become in a person’s life until it ends up consuming his or her every thought. Children and adolescents may end up being suspended or expelled from school as the result of behavioral problems, ongoing truancy, or from bringing substances with them to school. Adults may lose their jobs as the result of frequent absences, a poor work ethic, or an inability to perform their occupational responsibilities adequately. Relationships can become disturbed, financial problems can arise, and interaction with the legal system can result.

Due to the all-consuming effects that having an addiction to substances can bring about on an individual’s life, inpatient treatment programs can be one of the most beneficial ways to receive the thorough treatment necessary to put an end to these detrimental behaviors. First and foremost, by entering into an inpatient program, individuals are entering a safe environment where they no longer have access to their drug of choice. In this setting, they have the support of addiction specialists and mental health professionals who can help them work through their cravings, while also having medical personnel on hand to help manage any physical side effects that may arise during the withdrawal period. Through a combination of various therapeutic techniques, in addition to the comfort of being in a supportive, comfortable environment away from the stresses of everyday life, inpatient treatment programs can help individuals take the first step on the road to lasting recovery and continued sobriety.

Types of substance abuse treatment offered at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we wholeheartedly believe in the notion that each patient should have individualized treatment that meets his or her every need. For this reason, we afford each patient who comes to us struggling with the devastation that is an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol with individually tailored plans for treatment that are distinct to the adolescents, adults, and senior adults who come to us for care. These plans detail the specific courses of treatment that patients will engage in and include aftercare recommendations that are devised by our staff so that every patient experiences a full continuum of care. The planning of treatment begins during the time of assessment and can be altered should additional concerns arise during the course of treatment at our hospital.

In order to meet the varying needs of people suffering from chemical dependency, as well as a possible co-occurring mental illness, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is pleased to provide various levels of care and specialized programming options. Our hospital features separate adult and adolescent inpatient programs that treat a myriad of mental health conditions and substance abuse concerns. The level of care most appropriate for a patient is decided upon during the initial psychiatric evaluation, wherein a patient’s needs are assessed, a physical examination is conducted, and a mental status assessment is administered in order to determine which program will produce the most favorable treatment outcomes for any given patient.

Once admitted to one of our programs, patients struggling with chemical dependency have the ability to partake in a number of therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities. These methods are rooted in evidence-based principles and techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and the 12-step model for recovery. The following methods for care are the ones primarily used at San Juan Capestrano Hospital and are implemented so that patients can find relief from the concerns that arise as a result of an addiction to substances:

Addiction & Substance Abuse: These services are monitored by medical professionals who have experience in making the process of withdrawal as comfortable as can be so that patients can partake in therapeutic interventions with addiction specialists who can help springboard them towards lasting healing and a full recovery from addiction.

Medication management: If a co-occurring mental health condition is present in addition to one’s dependency on substances, the use of psychotropic medications may be implemented in order to successfully treat symptomatic concerns. On a case-by-case basis, our qualified psychiatrists will determine each patient’s individual needs for medication, prescribe the appropriate medications, and will then monitor the therapeutic effectiveness of those medications.

Individual therapy: All patients who take part in our inpatient programming for substance abuse and addiction engage in individual therapy sessions four times per week. Individual therapy is a treatment method that is designed to provide patients with an opportunity to process thoughts and emotions on a one-to-one basis with a member of our staff. This can also be a time for individuals to discuss any concerns that they may have, develop skills to help prevent future relapse, and track treatment goals.

Group therapy: San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers a number of group therapy opportunities for patients struggling with a dependency on drugs and/or alcohol that offers them the opportunity to find support in one another and hone skills that have been learned. Such sessions can be especially beneficial for individuals who are struggling with the distressing consequences of chemical dependency as they can provide them with the sense of comfort that comes with knowing that they are not alone in their struggles. Some of the topics covered in these groups include techniques for managing stress, improving communication, learning and adapting healthy coping methods, bettering self-esteem, dealing with grief and loss, persevering through trauma, recognizing triggers, and preventing relapse. These groups are offered several times per week to maximize the benefits of treatment offered in a group setting.    

Family therapy: Family therapy is offered as a method of treatment during inpatient programming so that our patients can receive ample support from the people who care for them most. During family therapy sessions, patients and their loved ones can work through conflicts and improve communication so as to heal and better familial relationships through the implementation of skills that can service a family unit well for a lifetime. For the family members of patients who are battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, these sessions can also serve as a time for gaining education about the disease of addiction, while also learning ways in which they can best help and support their loved one.

We also include a number of other therapeutic interventions as a way to wholly treat the individuals who come to our hospital for care. Especially for those who are plagued by substance abuse and addiction and require additional support and/or resources, we supply the following interventions and group topics as part of our treatment; these interventions have proven effectiveness in helping our patients learn to manage stress and turmoil while gaining the tools needed to successfully manage the debilitating symptoms of their mental health condition while also addressing other concerns:   

• Substance abuse education
• Psychoeducation
• Crisis management
• Anger management
• Medical issues management
• Relaxation techniques
• Occupational therapy
• Recreational therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for substance abuse

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we strive to provide the most comprehensive services that embody the highest quality of care possible for individuals who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction. To fulfill this goal, we begin discharge planning at the time of admissions and feature a number of continuing care options at varying levels of treatment so that each and every one of our patient’s needs can be treated once a higher level of care is no longer required.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers partial hospitalization programs for both adolescents and adults. The adolescent program is catered to youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years old and our adult program is designed for those aged 18 and older who are struggling with chemical dependency concerns.

Our hospital also features an adult substance abuse intensive outpatient program for individuals aged 18 and older who are battling the demon of addiction. This program is designed to continue the recovery process and help patients maintain sobriety after completing inpatient services.

Lastly, San Juan Capestrano Hospital provides outpatient services at eleven different locations on the island, including San Juan, Hatillo, Carolina, Condado, Mayagüez, Caguas, Humanao, Manatí, Ponce, Bayamón, and Guaynabo. Outpatient care allows patients to process thoughts, feelings, and concerns with a mental health professional on a weekly basis.

Whatever your mental healthcare or substance abuse needs may be, the staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is devoted to helping those who are entrusted into our care overcome mental health issues or chemical dependency concerns. We will put forth every effort to ensure that healing and lasting recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction is successfully achieved.