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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Alcoholic” means a person who habitually lacks self-control as to the use of alcoholic beverages, or uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that his or her health is substantially impaired or endangered or his or her social or economic function is substantially disrupted;
(2) “Approved private treatment facility” means a private agency meeting the standards prescribed in § 23-1.10-7(a) and approved under § 23-1.10-7(c);
(3) “Approved public treatment facility” means a treatment agency operating under the direction and control of the department or providing treatment under this chapter through a contract with the department under § 23-1.10-6(g) and meeting the standards prescribed in § 23-1.10-7(a);
(4) “Department” means department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals;
(5) “Director” means the director of the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals;
(6) “Incapacitated by alcohol” means a person, who as a result of the use of alcohol is intoxicated to such an extent that he or she is unconscious or has his or her judgment otherwise so impaired that he or she is incapable of realizing and making a rational decision with respect to his or her need for treatment;
(7) “Incompetent person” means a person who has been adjudged incompetent by the probate court of the city and town in which the person resides, or any other court of competent jurisdiction;
(8) “Intoxicated person” means a person whose mental or physical functioning is substantially impaired as a result of the use of alcohol;
(9) “Treatment” means the broad range of emergency, outpatient, intermediate, and inpatient services and care, including diagnostic evaluation, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and social service care, vocational rehabilitation and career counseling, which may be extended to alcoholics and intoxicated persons.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-1.10-2. Definitions - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-23-health-and-safety/ri-gen-laws-sect-23-1-10-2/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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