172-B:1 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Alcohol abuser" means anyone who drinks to an extent or with a frequency which impairs or endangers his health, or his social and economic functioning, or the health and welfare of others. The class of alcohol abusers includes the smaller class of alcoholics.
II. "Alcoholic" means a person suffering from the condition of alcoholism.
III. "Alcoholism" means addiction to alcoholic beverages. It is characterized by:
(a) Chronic absence of control by the drinker over the frequency or the volume of his alcohol intake; and
(b) Inability of the drinker to consistently moderate his drinking practices in spite of the onset of a variety of consequences deleterious to his health or his socio-economic functions.
IV. "Approved alcohol treatment program" means an alcohol treatment program which is approved by the commissioner as qualified to provide treatment for alcoholism and alcohol abuse.
V. "Client" means a person who is provided services by programs funded by the department of health and human services.
V-a. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of health and human services.
V-b. "Department" means the department of health and human services.
VI. "Designated alcohol counselor" means a person approved by the commissioner to evaluate and treat alcoholics and alcohol abusers, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
VII. "Detoxification" means the planned withdrawal of an individual from a state of acute or chronic alcohol intoxication, under qualified supervision and with or without the use of medication. Detoxification is monitoring and management of the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal, for the purpose of assuring safe and rapid return of the individual to normal bodily and mental functioning.
VIII. "Director" means the director of the office of alcohol and drug abuse prevention.
IX. "Incapacitated" means that a person as a result of his use of alcohol is in a state of intoxication, or mental confusion resulting from withdrawal, such that:
(a) He appears to need medical care or supervision by approved alcohol treatment personnel, as defined in this section, to assure his safety; or
(b) He appears to present a direct active or passive threat to the safety of others.
X. "Intoxicated" means a condition in which the mental or physical functioning of an individual is substantially impaired as a result of the presence of alcohol in his system.
XI. "Licensed hospital" means a hospital licensed under RSA 151.
XII. "Peace officer" shall have the same meaning as set out in RSA 594:1, III.
XIII. "Protective custody" means a civil status in which an incapacitated person is detained by a peace officer for the purposes of:
(a) Assuring the safety of the individual or the public or both; and
(b) Assisting the individual to return to a functional condition.
XIV. "Treatment" means the broad range of medical, detoxification, residential, outpatient, aftercare and follow-up services which are needed by alcoholics and alcohol abusers, and may include a variety of other medical, social, vocational and educational services relevant to the rehabilitation of these persons.