The Psychiatric Admission Unit of the General Hospital (UIPHG) is integrated to the psychiatric reform movement. The aim of this study was to evaluate chemical-dependent's admission causes at the UIPHG Dr. Estevam in the city of Sobral, Ceará State. It was a documental study with a quantitative approach involving 203 patients who were admitted at the UIPGH Dr. Estevam from October 2005 to April 2006. Data were collected from a document filled during admission process in the hospital. 95.1% of the sample was represented by men, age range of 30-40 years (62.5%) and single (59.1%). The alcohol withdrawal syndrome was the main admission cause (76.3%). After leaving the hospital, 70% of the sample was conducted to aftercare at CAPS-AD. These results provide preliminary evidence for the need of mental health services emphasizing alcohol dependence problem.
Chemical dependence; Psychiatric admission; General Hospital
