[Association between substance use and coercive measures on psychiatric wards]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025

A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder
Published on: June 18, 2018
Felix Betzler1, Ariadne Brandt2, Andreas Heinz2
1Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland. felix.betzler@charite.de.
Objective:
The intention to minimize coercive measures requires a comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors. The aim of the present work was to examine the association between substance use and the use of coercive measures.
Methods:
All coercive measures carried out on acute psychiatric wards of the Charité Campus Mitte in 2019 were examined, with a particular focus on the association with substance use disorders.
Results:
In 106 cases (92 patients) out of a total of 1232 cases (1131 patients), coercive measures were used, mainly admissions according to PsychKG (94) and BGB (21), more rarely isolation (23) or mechanical restraint (18). Acute intoxication was present in approximately one third of cases with coercive measures and a history of substance use disorder in two thirds, most often with alcohol and/or cannabis. In contrast, 9% of 1232 treatment cases presented with acute intoxication and 36% with substance use disorders in general.
Conclusion:
The present work delivers empirical data confirming the clinically known association between intoxication and the use of coercive measures.
Related Concept Videos
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Drug Dependence
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

