Beyond Detoxification: The Critical Role of Occupational Therapy in Addiction Clinics

This study examines the impact of occupational therapy (OT) activities-such as music, painting and sports-on treatment outcomes for patients with alcohol and substance use disorder treated at the inpatient addiction treatment unit of Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, in Turkey. The research specifically compares hospitalisation duration and treatment completion rates before and after these activities were discontinued due to regulatory changes.

A total of 332 patients were analysed, divided into two groups: those hospitalised during a 5-month period with available OT activities (training period) and those without such activities (non-training period). Sociodemographic data, treatment duration, completion of the recommended inpatient treatment program (20 days), type of hospitalisation (voluntary versus compulsory hospitalisation) and scores from the Craving Scale and Treatment Motivation Questionnaire were retrospectively analysed.

No significant differences were observed between groups concerning age, gender, type of addiction, Craving Scale levels, or hospitalisation type. However, patients in the training period group had significantly longer hospital stays (15.75 vs. 12.86 days; p < 0.005) and higher treatment completion rates (50.3% vs. 34.2%; p < 0.005). Though the non-training period group had higher treatment motivation scores (p < 0.05), this did not correspond to longer stays or higher completion rates.

OT activities may reduce early discharges for alcohol and substance use disorder patients, extend inpatient treatment duration and increase the likelihood of completing the recommended program. This study highlights the potential importance of OT in enhancing patient retention and adherence to treatment protocols for substance use disorders.