The effectiveness of confrontation procedures before and after treatment of employed alcoholics

All of the 123 subjects of this study had been referred for treatment by their employers and 94% had been threatened with job loss unless their work performance improved. The employers and the subjects perceived equally intense levels of pressure placed upon the subjects to change drinking behavior when they entered treatment. Both perceived a significant drop in pressure during the year following treatment, with the subjects indicating more change than the employers. Drop in perceived pressure was directly related to treatment outcome. Implications for constructive confrontation as a motivational tool are discussed.