In-patient treatment for alcoholism going beyond physical withdrawal from the drug has been available in Germany for more than 130 years. Particularly since the Second World War, treatment has broadened and changed in various ways. There are several reasons for this development. The recognition of alcoholism as a disease by the Supreme Court had widespread financial and administrative consequences. Since then in patient treatment has been funded mainly by the pension insurance institutions. Another reason is the strengthened influence of different psychotherapeutic schools on practice in...