Anyone with signs of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) should receive medical attention as soon as possible. Little can be done to reverse the brain damage caused by an accident or injury, but healthcare workers try to keep the injured person's condition stable and prevent further injury. If you or a loved one has a TBI, your healthcare team will work to: Imaging tests help to diagnose TBI. Patients with moderate to severe TBI have a computed tomography (CT) scan of the head and are closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU). Treatments for moderate to severe TBI range from medical treatment to surgery. After recovering first in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU), TBI patients with disabilities receive rehabilitation treatment (treatment to help a person regain as much function as possible). Our individualized treatment programs include: The prognosis (how well doctors expect you to recover from a disease or injury) is different for each person with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Approximately 50 percent of patients with severe head injuries need surgery to remove or repair hematomas (ruptured blood vessels) or contusions (bruised brain tissue). Patients may have disabilities after a TBI. Disabilities mean that patients aren't … Continue reading →

At NRI, we use the term dual diagnosis to describe the victim of a brain injury who is also struggling with substance abuse and addiction. Studies show that substance abuse is a key factor in more than a third of the accidents that result in a traumatic brain injuryand the use of alcohol or drugs prior to the injury often results in complications that require specialized treatment in a facility qualified to treat dual diagnosis patients. NRI is such a facility. Most individuals who were addicted to alcohol or drugs prior to their brain injury continue to experience substance abuse issues during their recovery. Other individuals may become addicted to pain medications as a result of their injury. Substance abuse and addiction not only pose special mental health concerns for people who have experienced brain trauma, they pose substantial impediments to recovery as well. As a facility uniquely capable of treating traumatic brain injury patients with dual diagnosis, NRI offers a non-judgmental and supportive environment that specifically addresses the challenges of recovery faced by those who are also struggling with alcohol or drug abuse. Our approach is based on respect for the dignity of the patients we serve and the … Continue reading →