ON THE TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL-ADDICTS AND D RUG-ADDICTS WITHIN A GENERAL HOSPITALS DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY

The authors report their three years experience with treating addicts (both alcoholics and users of prescription and illegal drugs) in a spe cialized unit employing a low-threshold admission policy. Difficulties as well as advantages of the conept are discussed. For the common tre atment of patients addicted. to different groups of substances on the same ward to be successful certain prerequisites probably have to be m et: A clearly structured daily routine respectively therapy-program an d close professional cooperation within a multifunctional therapeutic team harbouring a basic attitude of acceptance towards their patients.