The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Network treats adults dealing with both brain injury and drug or alcohol abuse. Patients benefit from coordinated outpatient treatment that combines community resources and family support. The goal is to help each individual adapt to his or her new life without substance use.

Our Patients

The TBI Network serves residents of Franklin County, Ohio, with brain injuries who also have a diagnosed substance use disorder. Brain injury and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. For some people, alcohol or drug use may have contributed to their brain injury. Research has also shown that people with TBI sometimes turn to substance use. This may be a means to cope with frustrations or depression that may accompany their injury.

Why choose The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center?

Personalized Care: You will receive a personal evaluation that helps create an individualized care plan to meet your needs and lead you toward your health goals. We will help you learn the skills and techniques you need to improve your abilities at work, home and social settings.

Unique Services: The TBI Network is one of the few substance abuse treatment programs of its kind in the nation. Our staff understands the complex issues that arise with the combination of brain injury and alcohol or drug abuse. Treatment is coordinated with the patient’s other services, including medical, financial, vocational or legal. TBI Network offers a specialized vocational rehabilitation program.

Accredited Programs: We are proud that our Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs at Dodd Hall and our Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF recognizes our programs as meeting the highest standards in quality, safety and outcome measures, which provide risk-reduction and accountability in our patient care.

Nation’s Best: Ohio State’s rehabilitation program consistently ranks among the best in the nation. As an academic medical center, Ohio State offers comprehensive medical expertise, the most advanced technologies and treatment techniques, and innovative care backed by research knowledge.

Our Services

With our extensive expertise in TBI, substance abuse treatment and vocational rehabilitation, you are assured of receiving the treatment and support you need to re-orient your life. Our treatments are designed to help you grow in all areas of life, including family, work and community.

This program offers rehabilitation services after you have returned home from the hospital or another rehabilitation facility. These are known as outpatient services. These services help achieve your highest level of recovery.

Following your physician's referral, your rehabilitation may include:

  • Assessment – You and your case manager use the Addiction Severity Index and other evaluation measures to identify difficulties you are having in life areas
  • Case Management – Using the assessment, your case manager identifies the problems to be treated, treatment objectives and needed services from within the community. Education is provided for you and your family
  • Vocational Rehabilitation – We use a supported employment approach, personalized to your goals and skills, in order to assist you with gaining and retaining competitive employment
  • Crisis Intervention – Case managers may assist you, family members or significant others to stabilize a crisis by helping to obtain medical, psychiatric or detoxification services
  • Group Counseling – You are provided a variety of groups depending on where you are in your treatment. Each group has weekly sessions on different aspects of brain injury and substance abuse
  • Individual Counseling – Sessions are one-on-one, in person, to address your specific needs, such as coping strategies and life skills

Your Treatment Team

Your customized treatment plan starts with a team of specialists. You will work with a case manager who coordinates all the services and specialists you require, such as:
  • Substance abuse specialists who specialize in helping people who are addicted to alcohol and/or other substances
  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians or physiatrists who specialize in helping people regain body functions lost due to medical conditions or injuries
  • Neuropsychologists who specialize in the effects that injuries or diseases of the brain and spinal cord have on emotions, behavior and learning
  • Rehabilitation psychologists who specialize in the mental and emotional health of patients with chronic illness or disability
  • Employment specialists who specialize in providing work assistance, identifying potential employers, assessing what job accommodations you may need and educating employers about brain injury and substance abuse

Additional Resources

Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Ohio State
Our Providers

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