Faculty Bibliography

Describes contemporary social psychiatric approaches to alcoholism (e.g., halfway houses, group therapy, family therapy, behavioral therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous) and reviews relevant clinical outcome studies for this psychiatric illness. It is suggested that, after detoxification, the number of treatment modalities provides an opportunity to select an appropriate treatment based on individual needs. The research validation of treatments is outlined in the discussion.

Self-help peer-led therapy can yield improved cost effectiveness and clinical outcome in hospital-based alcoholism treatment. This was demonstrated by comparing two ambulatory alcoholism treatment programs: a control program operated solely by professional staff, and an experimental one based on peer-led self-help (SH). The SH program was staffed by only half as many primary therapists as the control. Patients in both programs were evaluated over the course of one year. By means of the Patient Status Form, a clinical assessment instrument applied monthly, SH patients were found to score significantly higher on social adjustment, although retention and drinking rates, and utilization of Alcoholics Anonymous and disulfiram were no different from controls. This study is the continuation of an initial comparison in which SH patients were found to have enhanced retention in treatment after discharge from an impatient service