Department of Psychiatry of the University hospital “Sestre milosrdnice” in Zagreb has a long-standing tradition in working with dependencies. Within the segment of social-psychiatric action it is prominent in establishing and expanding the network of self-help groups based on the model established 45 years ago, with the founding of the first Club of treated alcoholics (CTA), by Professor Vladimir Hudolin. Many experts developed his model and together with treated alcoholics founded an entire territorial network across Croatia that today numbers 220 CTA. CTA are non-profitable non-government organizations founded with the aim of treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics and their families. Experts are included into CTA work, doctors, social workers, nurses, psychologists. CTA represent a high quality and most rational view of treatment and rehabilitation in the community, and also have a large preventive effect. The model for clubs of treated alcoholics has also been modified for other dependencies. In 2001 first clubs of treated drug addicts were formed. Today there are 7 active clubs for treated drug addicts, 4 in Zagreb, and in Split, Slavonski Brod and Imotski.
Furthermore, based on the same model, the first club for gambling addicts was founded 2 years ago. Four such clubs are presently active in Zagreb. Self-help groups (citizen organizations) are a showcase model for psychiatry in community. They have a substantial therapeutical and social potential which is amplified with the cooperation between expert and clients themselves. They represent an important factor in improvement of mental health in the community and as such we are recommending them as an unavoidable link in treatment and rehabilitation of addicts.
