Do psychiatrists make a difference? : impact of levels of medical input to the range of treatment provided in in-patient drug detoxification services

Aims: There is limited research evidence about the role of in-patient detoxification for drug users and in determining where this form of treatment should occur and with what level of medical support and supervision.Methods: The current study is based on a national survey of National Health Service (NHS) providers of drug detoxification in residential settings in England. Of the 76 services identified, 56 (74%) completed and returned the survey, including 19 specialist providers and 37 general medical or psychiatric wards that had beds available for residential drug detoxification.Findings: There was marked variability across providers in the level of medical and non-medical staffing, and in the characteristics of the treatment programmes available. These factors differed systematically by whether the unit was a specialist provider, particularly with regard to levels of medical input. There was greater medical input in the specialist units (statistically significant for staff grade and SHO psychiatrists) ...