Recovery Orientation as a Key Element in Addiction Treatment: Preliminary Results of a Patient's Survey

Abstract

“Recovery” in addiction treatment goes far beyond abstinence, but means a self-determined and meaningful life. Although this approach has been implemented in a number of programs, only little research has been carried out on this issue. Within the context of focusing our treatment program for addictive disorders more strongly according to recovery principles, we studied the baseline situation with the Bremerhavener Questionnaire of Treatment Satisfaction (BFPZ). Sixteen items cover different aspects of our traditional qualified inpatient detoxification program as well as recovery principles. Each item can be rated from 0 (strongly disagree) to 3 (strongly agree). Between December 1st 2015 and March 31st 2016, all in house patients with a substance abuse treated for more than 24 hours in the psychiatric department of Klinikum Bremerhaven Reinkenheide were asked to fill in the questionnaire (n = 201). Response rate was 35% (n = 70). Overall treatment satisfaction was high (mean: 2,57 ± 0.65). On the single item level, aspects of empathy and openness were rated best (mean > 2.3), while special aspects of personal recovery (choice, hope, life goals, diversity of treatment options) were rated worst (mean < 2.3). Eighty-nine percent of the patients wanted to stop their alcohol consumption completely, 2% wanted to break their consumption temporarily and 9% wanted to consume less. Thirty-four percent were interested in additional therapy offers for controlled substance use. The results will be presented in detail and discussed with regard to the implications for recovery-oriented addiction treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.