Factors related to patient attrition from alcoholism treatment programs

This study focused on an examination of a number of factors which might explain dropout from Veterans Administration inpatient alcoholism treatment programs. The investigation included 137 closed treatment groups that were used at this hospital over a 12-year span. These programs involved five different treatment modalities which varied in treatment length as well as in size of the treatment group. Program directors need to be aware that if their treatment approach involves closed treatment groups, the size of the group, its composition, and the length of the program can influence the dropout rate. According to these results the optimal group size is around five individuals and should not include a large percentage of individuals who are of high intelligence. Dropout rates declined as program length was shortened.