A lottery procedure to obtain alcoholics' self-reports after discharge

A novel procedure to obtain high rates of follow-up information is presented in this study. After discharge, 24 alcohol abusers were asked to complete and mail a self-report information sheet every other week. To check the reliability of the data obtained, significant others in the clients' environment were asked to report on the same behaviors. The clients and the significant others were informed that every returned information sheet was a lottery ticket. There were two prizes of 1000 NOK ($ 150), one every 6 months. The 1-year follow-up results show that 96% of the clients' self-report sheets were returned. The lottery procedure therefore seems an inexpensive and easy way to ensure the receipt of follow-up data and consumes little time.