Department of Addiction Disorders
The Department of Addiction Diseases within the Insula County Hospital has been operating as a separate unit since 1968, although the treatment of patients with alcoholism began during 1967.
During the Croatian War of Independence the department supplied and treated patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with or without addiction problems, and continues to do so to this day.
Because of the increase in the abuse of psychoactive substances (drugs) during the war and in the post-war period, the need to expand the activities and capacities of the Department for the treatment of psychoactive substances addicts had risen. Since then, those patients make up about 30% of the Hospital’s treated population with a tendency to grow. Majority of the patients have polytoxicomania, dual diagnosis and comorbidities.
In 2018, the Department implemented and designed a structured program for the treatment of gambling addiction.
In 2019, a specialized structured addiction treatment program was designed and implemented with patients who committed misdemeanors or criminal offenses (primarily domestic violence offenders) whilst battling addiction (protective/safety measures for the treatment of addiction to alcohol, drugs, and gambling).
The Department has been renovated and adapted on several occasions (especially in 2017/2018 period), with the aim of improving living conditions and meeting better living standards for the patients during the time they receive treatment. Today, it is a modern hospital ward with 74 beds, supplying a mixed population of patients; (M : F= 70% : 30%). Most rooms have an en suite bathroom and sanitary facilities. The level of security is monitored by video surveillance and fire alarm system.
Today, the department is equipped to receive, diagnose, and treat patients with the following diagnoses: alcohol dependence, alcoholic psychosis, and other psychological complications of alcoholism, polytoxicomania, personality disorders, PTSD of various etiologies as well as adjustment disorders, somatoform disorders and borderline conditions.
A multidisciplinary team consisting of a subspecialist for addiction, psychiatrists, psychiatry resident, departmental doctors, psychologists, social workers, Masters and Bachelors of Nursing, and departmental nurses and patient care technicians work in a dynamic treatment program that runs according to the principles of the therapeutic community.
Patient admission takes place according to the protocol in a safe manner and involves signing the Therapeutic Agreement and inclusion in treatment programs in accordance with the diagnosis.
Within the department as a part of the psycho-sociodynamic programs, patients are included in groups, occupational activities, as well as individual treatments with members of the therapeutic team. Educational groups cover the problems of alcoholism, gambling addiction and drug addiction.
In addition to educational groups in the department, patients are included in groups that deal with PTSD issues and are also included in the Family Relations group.
Close cooperation with the Department of Integrative Rehabilitation contributes to an individual approach as well as improving the treatment programs of individual patients. Patients are then included in various group or individual programs. Before enrolling in individual groups, patients undergo a cognitive assessment and an interview with an occupational therapist.
During the treatment, a consultant service of an internist, dentist, neurologist, physiatrist, nutritionist is also available.
For relaxation and leisure, patients can use therapeutic gardens, a gym, a library, bowling courts, and can play chess in the outdoor area. The department also boasts an author's garden directly next to the department itself.