Delivery of Substance Abuse Services During Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Research suggests that as many as 50% of all spinal cord injuries are associated with alcohol intoxication. Despite this alarming figure, the issue of substance abuse is only now beginning to be addressed in rehabilitation settings. This article presents a model program that addresses substance abuse issues as part of the overall rehabilitation program after spinal cord injury. The program components include assessment, group therapy, individual therapy, alcohol-free and drug-free recreational outings, and in-house Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The program’s development and philosophy, components, barriers to implementation, and new directions for the future are described.