Evaluation of a regional Indian alcohol program

The authors analyzed follow-up data collected by an Indian counselor and a psychiatrist on 83 American Indian alcoholic men. Follow-up status was judged by an interdisciplinary panel according to a six-step rating scale. The 44 percent improvement rate compares favorably with other treatment programs, especially in view of the selection process, which favored difficult patients. The authors suggest that the interdisciplinary rating panel is an approach that can prevent erroneous judgments of the drinking status of American Indians.