[Qualitative evaluation of the alcoholism integral approach with the GIA model (alcoholism institutional groups)]

This paper presents the evaluation, over a period of 6 years, on the effectiveness of the Alcoholism Institutional Group (GIA), in the Puerto San Julián Hospital, Santa Cruz, Argentina. The theoretical framework refers to three aspects: subject, social and institutional order. The qualitative logic and the process of analytic induction were used.

information was gathered through semi-structured interviews to selected cases (intentional sampling). The constant comparative method for the analysis was used.

the GIA method is effective from the aspects of the subject and the social order; the subject included in the treatment was able to: a) deconstruct the socially assumed role as an alcoholic, b) reconstruct their identity, c) restore the fabric of family, labour and social links, d) identify the healthy aspects of their personality to recover the capacities obstructed by the illness, e) learn to solve conflicts collectively thanks to group functioning, f) report to destigmatize the illness, and g) develop a healthy life project. The GIA method proved partially effective from the institutional angle; the task succeeded in uncovering, affirming and working on alcoholism as an illness within the hospital setting, but with less involvement than other local institutions, which motivated projects and strategies started from the results of this research.