[Outcomes of comprehensive inpatient opiate detoxification in patients re-admitted to treatment within one year]

Do patients readmitted to inpatient detoxification within a short time show favourable treatment outcomes?

Data were from a treatment facility providing for comprehensive opiate detoxification treatment. It was recorded whether consecutively admitted patients (n = 169) were re-admitted within 1 year after discharge. Outcome data were collected from patient files.

There were 43 % readmissions within 1 year. Readmission was predicted by lack of transfer to drug-free follow-up treatment, longer duration of opiate dependence, and comorbid axis 1 disorders. Rates of regular completion were 42 % for the index treatment and 31 % for the first readmission treatment. Of those repeaters who had prematurely terminated their first treatment, 77 % also did not complete their second treatment.

Treatment programs have to prepare for increased rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders in early treatment repeaters. Outcome quality of repeated treatments was not significantly worse compared to index treatment. However, for a subgroup of patients opiate detoxification may not serve as a gateway to abstinence oriented treatment, but as a means of harm reduction.