The effects of alcohol abuse among the new chronically mentally ill

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the high incidence of alcohol abuse among the new generation of chronically mentally ill. This article reports on a study that tracked a subgroup of the chronically mentally ill, those discharged from state psychiatric hospitals, through an entire community mental health aftercare system and its major auxiliary human service agencies. Those who were assessed by hospital discharge social workers as having a need for alcoholism services were found to be less likely to be referred for aftercare and to make contact with aftercare agencies post discharge; and for those with an alcoholism problem who do make contact, they generally received less service than those who did not have a need for alcoholism services. The professionals in both the mental health and alcoholism fields need to work together to better meet the needs of the chronically mentally ill with an alcohol problem.