Treatment for Substance Abuse Delays Past Anticipation - GBA Decision Falls Short of Hopes
The German Psychotherapists' Association (DPtV) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA)'s recent decision regarding addiction treatment. According to the DPtV chairman, Mr. Gebhard Hentschel, the decision falls short of the possibilities that psychotherapy offers for addiction treatment.
The G-BA, in its decision on August 21, 2025, amended the psychotherapy guideline, allowing for an increase in therapy hours from 10 to 24. However, Mr. Hentschel believes that this approach does not correspond to relevant treatment guidelines, which aim for consumption reduction if drug abstinence is not fully achievable.
In the revised guideline, addicted patients must prove drug abstinence during the first 24 sessions of psychotherapy to continue beyond that. This, according to Mr. Hentschel, limits psychotherapy to the state of drug abstinence, which does not meet current professional standards.
The DPtV, with 30,000 members, is the largest professional association for psychological psychotherapists, child and adolescent psychotherapists, and psychotherapists in training and further training in Germany. The organisation advocates for the concerns of its members and represents their interests vis-à-vis politics, institutions, authorities, health insurance companies, and in all committees of the self-governance of the psychotherapeutic healing professions.
The DPtV welcomes the political debate on viewing drugs and addiction as a societal issue. However, they call on political actors to consistently advocate for the further development of treatment options for addicted people, as the G-BA's decision does not meet the actual need for action in addicted individuals.
Hendrik Streeck, the current German Government's drug and addiction commissioner, also voiced his concerns. In a statement, he acknowledged that addiction and drugs affect millions of people. He did not comment specifically on the G-BA's decision, but called for a comprehensive approach to dealing with addiction.
A document titled "2025-08-21-G-BA Addiction.pdf" is related to the decision made by the G-BA. The G-BA's press release can be found at this link.
The G-BA has also decided to allow short-term therapy even without drug abstinence, a move that has been met with criticism from the DPtV. As the debate continues, it is clear that a comprehensive and effective approach to addiction treatment is needed.
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