An effective treatment concept for patients with substance use disorders

BACKGROUND: At the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the University of Munich a "day clinic for substance use disorders" was opened in 2014. A multimodal treatment concept for patients with addictions was developed. Employees of the clinic performed a first scientific study to assess the effects of treatment approaches on the course of the disease. METHOD: Data were collected over two years to evaluate the treatment concept. I. a., the severity of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, craving and several aspects of the subjective quality of life were documented. In addition, participants were examined about their contentment with the day-clinic treatment. RESULTS: Symptoms of depression, anxiety and craving were significantly reduced during the day-clinic treatment. The subjective quality of life increased almost in all areas. CONCLUSION: In order to stabilize patients with addictions, a multimodal treatment concept can be applied effectively.