"The goal is to completely stop using." How addictions are treated in the capital's drug treatment center

December 12, MINSK . Complete abstinence from psychoactive substance use, family and psychosocial adaptation - these are the results that doctors of the Minsk City Clinical Narcological Center expect to receive after rehabilitation of patients addicted to psychoactive substances. Deputy Chief Physician, psychiatrist-narcologist, psychotherapist Yulia Valyuzhenich spoke about the center's experience during an off-site press conference, a BELTA correspondent reports.

"One of our outpatient rehabilitation programs is called "Amethyst". it is only two years old. Its goal is to eliminate the prerequisites for patients to use psychoactive substances," the narcologist explained. " ALCOHOL is one of the psychoactive substances. Our treatment for addiction to it is aimed at creating a system of internal attitudes in patients that prevent use, helping to form conditions for socially consistent behavior, and more."

During outpatient rehabilitation, people with addictions are medically monitored, and individual rehabilitation programs are developed for them. Social rehabilitation is also organized: groups of patients are formed based on their motivation for treatment, medical, psychological and advisory assistance is provided to both patients and their relatives. The drug treatment center also interacts with government agencies, the Orthodox Church, public organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and social assistance centers. Doctors continue to accompany patients for prevention.

"For example, Amethyst is a three-stage rehabilitation, each stage smoothly follows from the previous one. So, the first lasts two months, or 60 days. Classes are held every other day three times a week so that the patient can simultaneously undergo treatment and work. The second stage lasts three months and consists of group classes twice a week. We call the third stage maintenance. It is designed for six months, classes are organized once a week in the evening," the specialist explained.

As Yulia Valyuzhenich specified, the rehabilitation program is based on an integrative approach, which combines cognitive behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy, body-oriented psychotherapy, as well as art therapy, film therapy and many other areas.

"What results do we expect? Complete abstinence from psychoactive substance use, family and psychosocial adaptation, gaining new experience aimed athealthy lifestyle , - the DOCTOR listed . - This is an opportunity for the patient to understand himself, find the meaning of life, gain knowledge about diseases and acquire skills to maintain sobriety, create an individual plan to prevent a breakdown. And in addition, this is a chance to make new acquaintances, communicate with people who have long experience of sober life."

The doctor emphasized that the outpatient rehabilitation format is more profitable from an economic point of view compared to a hospital. This rehabilitation format is less stressful for patients, since it allows them to fully maintain social roles and ability to work, and makes it possible to immediately integrate the acquired skills into life.

"Outpatient rehabilitation has a short period of application in our center, but the number of treated patients is constantly increasing. Rehabilitation is organized in accordance with the regulatory legal acts of Belarus, is indicated for patients with high rehabilitation potential, is accessible and comprehensive in its structure," concluded the deputy chief physician of the Minsk City Clinical Narcological Center.