LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf Hospital of the Heinrich-Heine University ...

lVr-KlINIKUM DÜSSelDOrF – HOSPItal OF tHe HeINrIcH-HeINe UNIVerSItY DÜSSelDOrF
2.2.1.4 Division of Dependence Disorders
The Division of Dependence Disorders has 73 beds and
treats people from all sectors in the catchment area.
It comprises four specialised units and an Institutional
Outpatient Unit that focuses on the psychiatric treatment
of dependence disorders. The division is represented in a
number of working groups, official bodies and quality circles
(such as the Working Group on Drugs and Dependence of
the municipal health authority, the Psychosocial Working
Group, the Düsseldorf Working Group Against the Dangers
of Dependence, the Association for Professional Inpatient
Acute Treatment of Drug Addicts North Rhine-Westfalia
and the Working Group on Dependence North Rhine). It
seeks close cooperation with sociopsychiatric institutions,
psychosocial counsellors for people with dependence, the
sociopsychiatric public services, institutions that operate
units of assisted living and the municipal public services that
render support, as well as the rehabilitation clinics and selfhelp
groups in the catchment area.
Following the principles of holistic treatment of mental
disorders, concomitant or secondary somatic diseases and
social problems, treatment is offered by interdisciplinary
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Division of Dependence Disorders
Cross-sectoral
73 Inpatient Beds
Secure ward 13 A
Illegal drug detoxification
Secure acute admission ward 13 B
Crisis intervention
Open ward 13 C
Alcohol and prescription drug detoxification
Open ward 13 D
Treatment of comorbidity
Outpatient clinic
teams – under the supervision of medical doctors – and
makes use of approaches that have been derived from
medical science, nursing, psychotherapy and social therapy.
Specialised units
Detoxification from illegal drugs
The unit admits people diagnosed with opiate dependence
and simultaneous dependence on more than one drug,
including opioid types and people who require treatment
for concomitant use of illicit drugs even though they are
receiving substitution treatment. Admissions follow an
interview with the individual and are not conditional on any
specific requirements. Therapies are focused on providing
qualified detoxification and diagnosing and treating
concurrent mental disorders. In close cooperation with
local drugs counsellors, information about dependence
disorders is provided in order to motivate the individual to
undergo further therapies, to change their behaviour and
to prevent relapses. To this end, individuals are invited to
participate in one-on-one interviews with their doctors
and in psychoeducational group therapy sessions. It is also
possible to provide support from social workers to solve
personal problems, in cooperation with complementary
institutions of dependence support organisations and the
public social services.
Crisis intervention
The unit admits people with mental crises and dependence
emergencies (acute danger of suicide and/or danger to
third parties, severe comorbidity requiring hospitalisation
in a secure environment) relating to substance abuse and
dependency (all substances). The therapeutic focus is placed
on crisis interventions and acute treatments as well as on
the therapy of severe and complex withdrawal syndromes in
a secured setting. It is also possible to provide support from
social workers to solve personal problems, in cooperation
with complementary institutions of dependence support
organisations and the public social services (including
psychoeducational information groups). Depending on the
individual indication, ergotherapy and physiotherapy may
also be used.
Detoxification from alcohol and prescription drugs
This unit primarily admits people who are dependent
on alcohol or prescription drugs. Admissions follow an
interview with the individual in the Institutional Outpatient
Unit. Therapy is aimed at treating withdrawal symptoms
of average severity. The therapy programme is based on