Day treatment of alcoholism: an outcome study

Thirty-seven (27 male and 10 female) alcoholics, treated in a brief day program, were assessed on a number of alcohol related and psychosocial variables 15 months following the initial treatment. Thirty percent (30%) remained totally abstinent, another 30% reduced their drinking to less than 10%, and 35% showed a moderate reduction of 10 to 50% in their pre-treatment drinking. Significant reduction was reported by these patients in their utilization of health services for purposes of detoxification, psychiatric treatment, visits to the family physician, and emergency department. Improvement was also reported on employment status, legal problems, general emotional state and some symptoms suggestive of depression. These findings are discussed in the light of the viability of cost effective day treatment programs for alcoholism within the context of general hospital psychiatric services.