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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GUIDELINES

Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions

Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions

Guidelines Overview Fact Sheet

Guidelines Overview Fact Sheet

The Guidelines for Managing Substance Withdrawal in Jails are not standards or legal guidance, but rather a set of clinical recommendations to support engagement of relevant parties in the development of or revisions to existing policies and procedures for managing substance withdrawal in jail settings.

Guidelines Layout


The Guidelines are divided into the following five sections:

  • General guidance (issues universal to withdrawal management in jails)
  • Alcohol withdrawal
  • Sedative withdrawal
  • Opioid withdrawal
  • Stimulant withdrawal

Each section includes recommendation statements and supporting narrative developed by an expert committee (EC) of medical and corrections professionals. The appendices provide supplemental information on a variety of matters, such as principles of drug testing during withdrawal management.

Expert Committee Members


Clinical Experts:

Jeffrey Alvarez, M.D., CCHP
Chief Medical Officer, NaphCare

Andrew F. Angelino, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine

Kevin A. Fiscella, M.D., M.PH.
Addiction Medicine Physician, Jordan Health

Miriam S. Komaromy, M.D.
Medical Director, Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center

Shannon Robinson, M.D.
Principal, Health Management Associates

Sandra Springer, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases Yale School of Medicine

Marc F. Stern, M.D., M.P.H.
Affiliate Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Washington
Clinical Professor, School of Public Health University of Albany
Chief Medical Advisor for the National Sheriffs’ Association, American Jail Association, and Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs

Donna Strugar-Fritsch, B.S.N., M.P.A., CCHP
Correctional Health Care Consultant

Experts in Jail Administration:

Oscar Aviles, CPM, CJM, CCE, CCHP
Assistant County Administrator, Hudson County (NJ)

Jeff Clark, M.J.A.
Undersheriff, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office

Carrie Hill, Esq.
Executive Director, Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association
Chief Jail Advisor, NSA

Geoff Stobart
Chief Deputy of Research, Development, and Major Projects for the Franklin County Sheriff's Office (Columbus, OH)

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