Changes in Outpatient Addiction Care over Time - Clients, Main Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes between 2007 and 2016

Aim This study aims to investigate changes in clientele, distribution of main substance diagnoses and treatment outcomes in outpatient addiction care by analysing data of the German Addiction Care Statistical Service (DSHS) over ten years. Observed trends will be discussed againstthe background of changing social and health care policy conditions. Materials & Methods Data of the DSHS, which was documented between 2007 and 2016 in participating outpatient treatment facilities, was analysed descriptively. Besides developments in capacity, analyses describe sociodemographic, disorder- and treatment-related parameters overtime. Results Number of participating treatment facilities (2007: n =720; 2016: n =863) has raised in the examined period. Bestrong increase (2007: 12.1 %, 2016: 17.8%). Treatment outcomes remained consistently positive overtime. Conclusions The constantly positive treatment outcomes indicate that changes in clients' needs are effectively met. For the future we expect a rising number of elderly clients and of clients with migration background. This in turn might create the need for further adapting addiction care.