Region Syddanmark is set to transform the treatment landscape for patients grappling with both mental health issues and substance abuse problems. Starting July 1, 2025, the region will take on a larger share of responsibility for substance abuse treatment, aiming to provide more coordinated care for these vulnerable patients. The initiative seeks to create a seamless treatment experience, preventing patients from 'falling between two stools' as they navigate the complexities of receiving care from different entities.
This move is part of a broader national effort to strengthen psychiatric services across Denmark. With the integration of services, patients will no longer have to juggle between the municipality's substance abuse centers and the regional psychiatric offerings. Instead, they will receive comprehensive care under one roof, which is expected to significantly improve their treatment outcomes.
Mette Bossen Linnet, the chair of the Psychiatry and Social Committee in Region Syddanmark, emphasized the importance of this initiative. "We know that many patients with both mental illness and problematic substance use have struggled to receive the right help because treatment has been divided among various institutions. With this new offering, we are taking an important step toward a more coordinated and cohesive effort that looks at the whole person and ensures that significantly fewer in this patient group fall between two stools," she stated.
In addition to improving patient care, the initiative will involve close collaboration between the region and local municipalities. This partnership will entail retraining staff with new professional standards and focusing on ensuring smooth transitions when patients move from municipal to regional psychiatric care.
As part of the implementation process, local handover meetings have already begun, allowing substance abuse centers and psychiatric services to work together to facilitate a smoother transition for patients. The integrated double-diagnosis treatment will be rolled out in three phases. Starting in July 2025, citizens currently receiving both municipal substance abuse treatment and regional psychiatric care will be offered integrated treatment in the region. A year later, in July 2026, citizens with mental illness currently receiving only municipal substance abuse treatment will also be included in the program. In the first phase, 360 citizens have already been referred to the integrated treatment, with 22 completing the course. The entire process is expected to be finalized by January 1, 2027.
Meanwhile, a separate but related issue has emerged regarding the intergenerational transmission of substance abuse problems. New figures reveal that substance abuse issues are hereditary, with a significant percentage of young people from families with substance abuse problems facing similar challenges. According to TUBA, an organization that assists young people from families with substance abuse, 47 percent of those seeking help also had grandparents with substance abuse issues.
This troubling trend highlights the need for stronger preventive measures to break the cycle of addiction. TUBA's research indicates that approximately 40 percent of individuals who grow up in families with substance abuse issues will develop their own substance abuse problems later in life. Furthermore, the organization reports that 64 percent of young people surveyed have experienced psychological violence, and 42 percent have faced physical violence or threats in their childhood homes. Alarmingly, 27 percent of the young people in TUBA in 2024 have attempted or threatened suicide.
Kåre Skarsholm, the national leader of TUBA, points to a significant opportunity to break this negative social inheritance. He advocates for a more focused approach from society and authorities to support young people growing up under these circumstances. "There is a need for a better preventive effort to support young people in breaking the pattern and creating a life without addiction," Skarsholm said.
Despite the daunting challenges, there is hope for positive change. TUBA emphasizes that providing early help and support to young adults can prevent substance abuse issues from passing to the next generation. Increasing focus on prevention can enable more young people to lead stable, healthy lives, far removed from the negative patterns they have inherited.
To improve conditions for young people who have grown up with substance abuse, TUBA recommends several initiatives. A critical step is to focus on the long-term consequences of growing up in families affected by addiction and to enhance support for young people over the age of 25. This approach could assist these young adults in breaking the negative social inheritance and establishing more stable lives.
Each year, TUBA helps over 3,000 young people, offering therapy and counseling to those aged 14 to 35. Their work is crucial in breaking the cycle of addiction and preventing substance abuse problems from being passed down through generations.
