Depression in addicted patients in different therapeutic units in greece

Abstract

Background and aims:

The presence of depression in addicted patients has been connected to poorer therapeutic outcome, increased percentages of drop-outs and shorter period of abstinence. The Addictions Department at the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki in Greece has an integrated Therapeutic Programme which delivers a therapeutic continuum and attempts to cover the needs of various populations through a flexible, interconnected network of multi-dimensional services.

Methods:

Sixty (60) subjects were examined –they were divided in three groups of twenty persons each, equally regarding (in a randomized way) the three facilitating sections for drug abuse: Detoxification Unit, Residential Therapeutic Community and Reintegration Programme. They were screened with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30).

Results:

Most of the subjects were young single men, with a secondary educational level. Depression level was statistically significant higher at the Detoxification Unit (BDI Score: 24.55±12.45) compared to the Residential Therapeutic Community (BDI Score: 13.35±10.24) (p<0.05). Furthermore, depression level was decreased at the Reintegration Programme (BDI score: 8.60±5.31) -statistically significant compared to the Detoxification Unit (p<0.000).

Conclusions:

Addicted patients seem to have mild severe depression at the first stages of a therapeutic detoxification programme. As the therapeutic procedure goes on and abstinence is established, depression is rapidly decreased in a stable way. Future studies with larger groups of addicted patients are warranted to further investigate the role of depression during the early period of abstinence.