Department of addiction therapy

Qualified withdrawal and motivation treatment

The qualified withdrawal treatment, depending on the type of dependency and the treatment goal, as a rule lasts up to three weeks. Admission usually takes place promptly after a personal preliminary conversation arranged in advance by telephone in our ambulance or in agreement with a cooperating facility, for example an addiction information centre, the Public Health Office, company social counselling or a clinical social service.

Our main target groups are alcohol and/or drug-dependent women and men. The withdrawal treatment for illegal drug consumption is only possible as a rule if a treatment guarantee for subsequent rehabilitation has already been approved and is available.
Our treatment pursues the goal:

• a medically satisfactory, addiction-specific treatment of the dependency syndrome
• the diagnosis, and accompanying treatment of subsequent physical disorders or concomitant diseases by an internal medicine specialist
• to convey information on offers of help
• to increase understanding of the problem of substance abuse, and
• to strengthen motivation for change and enhance competence

If withdrawal symptoms occur, then they are treated with specific drugs. Additionally, ear acupuncture is also offered.

Being together and exchanging personal experience with other affected persons on the ward is helpful in order to see one's own position more clearly and to develop new perspectives. Trained attendants also support the therapeutic community according to the primary care system.

The central element of the treatment is group therapy. The patients determine themselves which topics they want to discuss, e.g. the connection of substance abuse and their way of life, fear of the future, their dealings with alcohol after release, behaviour after a relapse, getting in better touch with one's own self and desires and needs again, and the ability to recognise and address professional and family-related problems.

The so-called creative therapies (movement and occupational therapy give an opportunity to try out something new and to recall and connect with good times, and once again feel a zest for life. Our patients receive addiction-specific offers of information, encounter a support group in the hospital and become familiar with the offerings of an addiction information centre and specialised clinic on site. Discussions as a pair and with families supplement the therapy offering in individual cases.

Women often require a special setting in order to be able to address special topics. This desire is taken into account by a women's discussion group and own exercise/movement class.
If indicated, the seamless transition into the inpatient or full-time outpatient rehabilitation in Haus Siloah can take place from the withdrawal treatment by means of the rapid application processes at the responsible service provider.

Contact

Dr. med. O. Lask
Head physician
Tel: (02102) 303-303