Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Medical Conditions

Decisions regarding treatment of clients with co-existing medical and psychiatric problems are made on a case by case basis. Since Dawn Farm is not a hospital facility, those clients needing daily professional medical care or psychiatric stabilization are usually referred elsewhere. We can, however, accommodate many medical problems that require access to doctor visits and/or a modified responsibilities. Requests for accommodation will follow the Accessibility Plan. The clinical and medical staff will work together to ensure that client medications do not interfere with their treatment for chemical dependency.

Dawn Farm does not have psychiatric staff on site and therefore cannot accept clients in need of monitored psychiatric treatment or at any risk for a psychotic episode. If a client displays any acute psychiatric symptoms, staff and the Program Coordinator, with guidance from the Medical Director and/or Psychiatric NP, will determine the appropriate course of action. A referral may be made to the Psychiatric Emergency Room at either St. Joseph or U of M Hospital, Community Mental Health (CMH or the Crisis Team), or our contracted psychiatric staff for an evaluation. If medication is prescribed during that evaluation, Dawn Farm staff will consult with the Medical Director, the prescribing doctor, and/or the client to determine whether treatment at Dawn Farm should continue. Again, decisions will be made on a case by case basis.