[Similarities and differences in the therapy of drug-dependent and alcoholic patients: advantages and disadvantages of combined treatment].

Alcoholics and (other) drug addicts show similar and different qualities. Differences affecting their "combined treatment" are based mainly on age and life style and much less on pharmacological nature of the drug concerned. Therapists and patients experience certain problems in "combined treatment" of addicts and alcoholics but also an extension of mental horizon-having to deal with such a heterogeneous population. Close, daily contact with older, more mature, experienced alcoholics offers young drug addicts an opportunity for a more rapid development of motivation, cooperation with treatment, and emotional maturation, than may be possible in a community formed by young addicts only. According to Wanke, in drug dependence the foundation of scientific understanding is even more insecure than in dependence on alcohol and medicaments. He quotes Lothar Schmidt's view that it is important to create a motivating framework for the patient (during his treatment) which determines motives for lifelong abstinence and maturation of personality. Possibly it is the close collaboration with older alcoholics which creates this motivating framework for certain young drug misusers.