Anxiety in addicted patients in different therapeutic units in greece

Abstract

Background and aims:

The presence of anxiety in addicted patients, although it is expected, has been connected to poorer outcome of addiction treatment, decreased percentages of completion in patients admitted to substance abuse detoxification programmes and shorter period of abstinence. The Addictions Department at the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki in Greece has an integrated Therapeutic Program which delivers a therapeutic continuum and attempts to cover the needs of various populations through a flexible, interconnected network of multi-dimensional services.

Methods:

Sixty (60) subjects -equally regarded in a randomized way from three different domains of a Therapeutic Program in Addictions (Detoxification Unit, Residential Therapeutic Community, Reintegration Programme)- were examined. They were screened with the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30).

Results:

Most of the subjects were young single men, with a secondary educational level. Anxiety level at the Detoxification Unit was quite high (median Stait Score: 56.35±10.37, median Trait Score: 50.70±10.58) as well as at the Therapeutic Community (median Stait Score: 52.90±9.10, median Trait Score: 45.20±7.48). Although there is a gradual decrease of anxiety level, it is not statistically significant. Anxiety level is decreased statistically significant at the Reintegration Programme (median Stait Score: 45.95±6.67, median Trait Score: 41.25±5.35) (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Addicted patients express high anxiety levels at the first stages of a therapeutic detoxification programme. As the therapeutic procedure goes on and abstinence is established, anxiety is decreased –although they are treated as outpatients at the final stage.