Alcoholism: the response of a public hospital

This report presents an analysis of the Alcohol Intervention Program (AIP) at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. This pilot project was initiated in January of 1983. A total of 1,822 patients were screened by two trained counselors. Operated in the emergency room, the project significantly reduced the rate of both hospital admissions and readmissions for patients with alcohol-related illnesses. This project demonstrated its effectiveness by making appropriate referrals to local alcoholism service providers. A total of 387 patients were referred directly to Alcoholics Anonymous and 440 were referred to residential alcoholism programs. Of the latter group, follow-up documentation demonstrated that nearly half of those referred remained in treatment for the duration of the program.