What we provide — and what we do not.
For the treatment of dependency disorders (in particular alcohol, benzodiazepines, drugs), there is a specialised addiction care system in Germany comprising facilities for detoxification, withdrawal treatment, support for maintaining abstinence through self-help groups, supervision by sociotherapeutic institutions, addiction and drug counselling centres, and much more.
Accordingly, we do not carry out primary detoxification or withdrawal treatments at our clinic. However, we do treat many people who have, alongside a mental health condition such as depression or an anxiety disorder, a comorbid problem of misuse of or dependency on alcohol, medication, or drugs, among other things. The substances mentioned are not infrequently used as 'self-medication' to alleviate the symptoms of mental health conditions and to numb worry and sorrow. Harmful substance use is therefore naturally co-treated at our clinic. A prerequisite for admission of a patient with a secondary dependency problem is that a detoxification has already taken place in a suitable department.
As a general principle, we agree with patients who have a secondary dependency problem an indication-specific therapy agreement that obligates them, among other things, to abstain from addictive substances during treatment, regulates how to handle self-injurious impulses and substance cravings, and defines the therapeutic setting and adherence to it (including alcohol and drug testing). In the first phase of therapy, those affected receive comprehensive psychoeducation about their condition, are informed about the consequences of their substance use or dependency (if necessary with further internal medicine investigation such as abdominal ultrasound), and their motivation for therapy is strengthened. In the further course, the aim is to understand the psychological and secondary dependency problem not only against the background of current triggers (stress, conflicts, burdensome life circumstances), but also in the context of one's own behavioural and relational patterns, inner conflicts, and biographical influences. The aim is therefore to understand and work through both the primary mental health condition and the secondary dependency problem in the context of one's own character traits and personality patterns. Depending on the inner stability of the individual, psychotherapy is structured to be either more conflict-centred or structure-related.
