New revisions to BHC program align with current terminology for addiction medicine

The Joint Commission is revising two terms for the Behavioral Health Care and Human Services (BHC) program to reflect current terminology being used in the field of addiction medicine. The revised terms are:

• “Medication-assisted treatment” has been updated to “medications for substance use disorders.” If the requirement needs more specificity, the term is updated to “medications for opioid use disorder” or “medications for alcohol use disorder.”
• Detoxification has been removed and is now referred to as “withdrawal,” “withdrawal management,” or “medically supervised withdrawal management.” These revisions are editorial in nature and do not change any requirements.

These changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. Questions may be directed to the Department of Standards and Survey Methods.