Outpatient treatment

Outpatient work largely consists of therapy or counselling for individuals, couples, families or groups. The theory base for the intervention can be cognitive-behavioural, motivational, systemic, solution-focussed, neuro-linguistic programming etc., depending on the therapist's training and on the needs of the client. Art therapy and other creative therapies are also used. The overall aim is to enhance the quality of life for the client and for his/her important others, and to help the client stop substance use, reduce substance use (for instance non-dependent heavy drinkers) or reduce the level of risk or harm associated to substance use. Harm reduction is an important objective especially in counselling given within syringe-exchange schemes.

Another important part of the work consists in outpatient detoxification, in most cases from binge drinking, but also from less severe abuse of prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or poly-drug use. Detoxification includes assessment and monitoring of the client's health status, short-term medication, e.g. benzodiazepines, acupuncture to assist in withdrawal, and development of a plan for rehabilitation and follow-up.

In long-term medication of alcohol dependence or of long-term heavy drinking, disulfiram and naltrexone are used. Nalmefene is used in clinical trials. Antidepressants and other psychotropic medications are used especially for dual-diagnosed clients. Benzodiazepine dependence can be treated by gradually decreasing the dosage over several months.

Some outpatient units provide opiate addicts with substitution treatment using methadone or buprenorphine. A precondition is that eligibility for such treatment has been determined by Järvenpää Addiction Hospital or by one of the university hospitals.

Outpatient services are free of charge to the client, the costs are paid by the client's municipality of residence. Most outpatient units are over-crowded. During the year 2008, the Foundation's outpatient services were used by 27 200 clients.