Detoxification treatment of adults at younger ages suffering from polysubstance dependence on our department pursues an integrative therapeutic concept. In addition to addiction-specific, topic-centred group and talk therapy orientation also behavioural therapy elements are included: a penalty points system provides negative sign stimuli for undesirable behaviour.

Since 2010, both rate of psychotic disorders and number of N-methylamphetamine consumers (P < 0.001) have been growing impressively while the proportion of repeated admissions amounted to > 55%. Dissatisfying trends were identified by longitudinal measurement, e.g. regarding ALOS, kind of discharge, bed occupancy.

Targeted changes in treatment were established in the 2nd half of 2014. In particular, the penalty point system was adapted towards less restrictive rules, combined with slightly reduced therapeutic intensity in order to come better on the disorder-related needs of the patients. Staffing level and structure remained stable.

Key figures including quality criteria and performance data such as LOS, kind of admission and discharge, service intensity, and bed occupancy were evaluated by a pre-post study (pre: 1st half of 2014, N = 76/post: 1st half of 2015, N = 77) using descriptive and test statistics.

Socio-demographic patient data remained stable. Regarding selected key figures there were significant changes (LOS > 21 days: P < 0.05; bed occupancy: P < 0.001; therapeutic contacts < 25 min: P < 0.001) and positive trends, e.g. decreased ratio of non-regular discharges.

Our data suggest that punishment-oriented interventions impede addressing specific needs of inpatients with multiple substance use whereas more need-oriented interventions may lead to improvements. Further evaluation including patient satisfaction is indispensable.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.