New Approach to Dependent Patients - Programme of Comprehensive Treatment (Experience from nine months’ operation of the programme)

Overview

The authors present a programme of comprehensive treatment of the syndrome of dependence- an in-patient department which offered its patients integrated somatic-psychiatric care. Theobjective of the programme was to provide specialized medical care to patients dependent onpsychoactive substances with an infectious comorbidity in such a form that hospital treatmentdid not act as another form of repression, but conversely was the onset of useful and positivecollaboration. During hospitalization on account of a somatic complication the patients wereoffered a psychotherapeutic programme adjusted to their demands and possibilities. Theprogramme of comprehensive treatment ensured in particular treatment of infectious compli-cations. The long-term objective of the programme was however also motivation of the patientto reduce their risk behaviour, to ensure a more responsible approach to health, and in idealcases to the treatment of dependence. By its activity the programme contributed to restrictionof the spread of infection in the risk population and thus to a risk reduction for the generalpopulation.

Key words:
dependence - somatic complications - comprehensive treatment.