The referral problem in the field of alcohol abuse

This paper reports on referral sources and the disposition of 409 problem drinkers who were contacted over a two-year period for participation in a 17-week alcohol abuse treatment program. A longitudinal follow-up design was used with 103 persons to evaluate various learning-based techniques in moderating their drinking habits. Referrals were analyzed by source (75% were legal referrals), percentage completing the program (70%, 72%, and 69% for self, legal, and mental health referrals), and "success" at one year. Legal referrals reported a significantly smaller pretreatment alcohol intake than self and mental health referrals. However, the decrease in alcohol intake for legal and nonlegal referrals were almost identical. The stigma of alcoholism as a disease and the coercion associated with referral by legal agencies were considered to be factors in acceptance of treatment and in treatment outcome.