At LKH Graz II

First day clinic opened for addicts in Styria

Opening of the day clinic: Bernhard Haas (Operations Director LKH Graz II), Ulf Drabek (Board Member for Finance and Technology), Michael Lehofer (Medical Director LKH Graz II), Karlheinz Kornhäusl (Provincial Councillor for Health, Care and Sport, ÖVP), Ian Seemann (Head of Day Clinic), Martin Ecker (Head of Center for Addiction Medicine at LKH Graz II), Birgit Grossauer (Nursing Director LKH Graz II), Gerhard Stark (Chairman of Kages) and Hannes Schwarz (Klubobobmann SPÖ).(Bild: LKH Graz II)

LKH Graz II, south site, is countering the rising number of addiction cases by creating a day clinic for low-threshold help. A team of doctors, therapists and nurses is to supplement the inpatient treatment options - whether in cases of hardship or on the final steps to rehabilitation.

The need for addiction help is constantly increasing throughout Styria. In addition to inpatient care, it is primarily outpatient clinics that can support addicts during the day. Such a service is now available at the LKH Graz II, South site. It is the first day clinic for addiction medicine in Styria.

In future, patients will be able to take advantage of low-threshold and rapid help in the form of substitution medication, therapy options, sport and also preventative measures. Martin Ecker, Head of the Center for Addiction Medicine: "The transition to the home environment after withdrawal is a particular challenge for many of those affected and repeatedly leads to relapses. With the new day clinic, we are creating a service that ensures continuous care and thus contributes to stabilizing the recovery process."

It is therefore an extension of the existing inpatient services. Twelve people can be treated daily, with alcohol being the most common problem. The aim is to reduce the relapse rate and give more stable patients more freedom. "This new facility not only creates an additional care service, but also forms a bridge back to a self-determined life," says Karlheinz Kornhäusl (ÖVP), Member of the Provincial Council for Health. From withdrawal treatment to full rehabilitation, patients are cared for by an interdisciplinary team of doctors, therapists and nursing staff.