Duration of hospitalization for alcoholism

On admission to an inpatient alcoholic treatment center, 58 alcoholic men were randomly assigned to two groups. One group was detoxified and after-care services were planned (mean length of stay nine days). The other group, in a-dition to the above, received intensive psychosocial inhospital treatment (mean length of stay 30 days). Posthospital adjustment was measured at five intervals over a 13 month period in the areas of social relationships, financial status, employment record, legal involvement, drinking behavior, use of measures were obtained on psychological change and counseling readiness. No significant difference was found between the two groups on any measure. These results indicate that the hospital has a limited role in the treatment of the alcholic person.