[Addiction in women. Observations on the psychic and social situation of women admitted to the addicts ward of a provincial government mental hospital (Landeskrankenhaus) (author's transl)].

The article describes a ward for the admittance of female addicts in a provincial government mental hospital (Landeskrankenhaus). Addiction is interpreted as the sequel of a severe psychic disturbance (manifested as depression in most of the women) in conjunction with socially disturbed conditions (lack of social function, familial upsets). Possibilities of treatment in a provincial government hospital are limited. The essential therapeutic chance is offered by a firmly patterned ward structure and by creating an "antidepressive environment" which meets to a certain extent the patient's innate craving for security and her need "to belong", while at the same time promoting her own initiative and sense of responsibility.