When does an addiction clinic make sense for cannabis?
An addiction clinic for cannabis makes sense when outpatient help alone is not enough, when use continues despite clear harm, or when a mental health condition has to be treated intensively at the same time. Inpatient means you live in a facility for the treatment. Doctors and addiction counselling services decide together with you whether this route suits you.
What outpatient and inpatient mean
Outpatient means you continue to live at home and attend regular appointments, for example with an addiction counselling service or a doctor. Inpatient means you live for a set period in a clinic or specialist rehabilitation facility, with therapy, group sessions and a fixed daily routine. Both forms can build on each other.
| Feature | Outpatient | Inpatient |
|---|---|---|
| Place of residence | At home | In the facility |
| Daily routine | Self-organised, with appointments | Fixed framework with a therapy plan |
| Environment | Everyday life stays the same | Distance from the usual environment |
| Suitable for | A stable environment and your own motivation | Heavy strain, a lack of support or co-occurring illnesses |
Signs that point to an addiction clinic
An addiction clinic can be an option when everyday life no longer works without help. These points can be a reason to discuss the inpatient route with specialists:
- You have tried to stop as an outpatient several times and failed.
- Use continues despite health, work or family consequences.
- A mental health condition such as depression or an anxiety disorder increases your use.
- At home, there is no environment that supports stopping.
- You also use alcohol or other substances.
This list is no substitute for a diagnosis. It helps you clarify your own picture before you speak with specialists.
When a specialist clinic is particularly suitable
If a serious mental health condition exists alongside cannabis use, a facility that treats both at the same time is often needed. This applies especially when psychosis, severe depression or suicidal thoughts are involved. The BIÖG points out that people who use cannabis develop psychosis more often than people who do not. According to cannabispraevention.de, however, this statistical link does not prove that cannabis causes psychosis. Such cases belong in medical hands, and preferably without delay.
To choose a facility, questions about its focus, the length of the programme and aftercare help. A reputable facility answers them clearly and tells you the next steps.
The route into an addiction clinic
The route usually runs through several services. This order has proven itself:
- Talk to your GP about your use and your complaints.
- Get advice on forms of treatment at an addiction counselling service. You can find these services in the DHS addiction help directory. According to the Federal Drug Commissioner, its facility database lists over 1,400 outpatient counselling services and also 800 inpatient addiction help facilities.
- Clarify with your health insurance fund or the pension insurance who pays for inpatient treatment. There you will learn which requirements apply.
- Ask the facility about its admission procedure, preparation and how the treatment works.
Good preparation helps you get through the first weeks. Plan in advance who will take care of your daily life, appointments, pets or children during this time. A self-help group can also support you before admission.
What happens if a clinic is not necessary
Starting as an outpatient is one possible route. A counselling service can then offer regular conversations, a doctor accompanies the medical steps, and a group supports everyday life. The article Is outpatient treatment possible for cannabis dependence? shows which outpatient routes exist.
The difference between the two forms is also explained in detail in the article What is the difference between outpatient and inpatient treatment?
What to expect in a clinic
Daily life in an inpatient facility varies from one house to another. Before admission, ask about the daily routine, the treatment plan and the rules on mobile phones, visits and leave, so that you can prepare in time. Especially in the first few days, being separated from your usual environment is hard for many people. This can also be discussed with the team.
Questions for the facility
Before you decide, a list of questions is worthwhile. These are particularly important:
- Which treatment focuses are offered, and do they fit my use?
- What does the daily routine look like?
- How are relapses handled during the stay?
- What aftercare is planned after discharge?
- Are there offers for relatives, and how is confidentiality regulated?
If an answer remains unclear to you, ask again. A reputable facility takes the time for this.
Inpatient treatment and afterwards
The stay is not the end of treatment. The time after discharge often decides whether progress lasts. This includes follow-up offers, conversations at an addiction counselling service and a stable environment. Plan these steps before the stay, so that you do not face the situation without structure.
The article How do I stay stable after withdrawal? describes how this transition can be shaped.
Preparing for admission
Good preparation makes the start easier. Beforehand, collect important information about your use, previous treatments, medication and pre-existing conditions. Clarify with your employer or school how long you will be absent and who will cover for you. Housing, pets, ongoing contracts and appointments also need a solution. If you have children, arrange their care in good time.
Also consider what matters most to you in the treatment. You might want to work in a group, address certain topics or use particular forms of help. Note this down, so that you can mention it at the first conversation.
What you can do now
- Write down how long you have been trying to stop as an outpatient and what made you fail.
- Book an appointment with your GP.
- Get in touch with an addiction counselling service and ask about counselling on inpatient options.
- If you are in a crisis or have suicidal thoughts, call the emergency number 112 immediately.
You can find an overview of all help services under Help and counselling. An addiction counselling service near you can be found through the article Where can I find an addiction counselling service for cannabis?
Frequently asked questions
Who decides whether I am admitted to an addiction clinic?
The facility checks in its admission procedure whether it suits your situation. The health insurance fund or the pension insurance decides on covering the costs. Ask both bodies about the requirements before you commit, and get deadlines and documents in writing.
Can I go to an addiction clinic without having failed as an outpatient first?
Your GP practice or an addiction counselling service will clarify this with you. Whether an outpatient attempt is needed first depends on the individual case and the facility, and the funding body can also set requirements. A conversation in advance is worthwhile in any case.
What does an addiction clinic for cannabis cost?
The costs depend on the facility and the funding body. Your health insurance fund or the pension insurance will tell you whether, and to what extent, treatment is covered. Ask them before admission so that there are no unpleasant surprises.