[Detoxication in hospital contra detoxication in detention]

In the present study, 61 persons taken into police custody due to drunkenness were compared with 57 persons admitted to hospital due to intoxication with alcohol. The persons with alcohol problems taken into police custody numbered more younger men, fewer retired persons and the alcohol problems were more often acute intoxication than alcohol dependence. None of the persons placed in police custody were advised to seek help for their alcohol problems in contrast to 45 out of the 57 admitted to the hospital who started treatment. Detoxification in hospitals is far more suitable to motivate persons with alcohol problems to seek help. Detoxification should, for non criminal intoxicated people, be performed in hospitals.