Andorra to introduce inpatient hospital detox admissions

The SAAS plans to introduce inpatient hospital admissions for substance detoxification from the second half of next year, allowing these treatments to be carried out in the country. Until now the Andorran Social Security Fund has financed stays in specialized centres abroad. No details have been given yet on how many places will be reserved for the new service.

Joan Soler, head of Mental Health and Addictions, said the admissions will take place in a dedicated space on the hospital’s fourth floor, separated from other mental health units to differentiate patient profiles and pathologies. As a reference, in most European countries this type of admission lasts about twenty days on average.

Addressing the operation of the addictive behaviours unit, Soler defended the decision to expel day-centre patients who relapse into substance use, a practice that has drawn criticism in recent weeks. He said relaxing that criterion could put other users who are committed to abstinence at risk.

Soler acknowledged that low‑demand day detox centres—where relapses do not lead to exclusion—could be an alternative, but said that given the country’s size this option is not currently a priority. The Mental Health and Addictions service is also developing new treatment lines to be rolled out next year, including group therapies for patients with eating disorders.