[Alcohol consumption and its significance in therapeutic residences for psychiatric patients]

We conducted a study on alcohol consumption habits in the five therapeutic homes for the mentally ill in Mannheim. Through assessment by their case managers we obtained data from 136 residents. Frequent alcohol use is currently reported in 12.5%. This group of frequent alcohol users is characterized by a higher proportion of men, higher age at entry into the institution and a lower dosage of neuroleptic medication. No significant relation is found with regard to the age at onset of disease, the rehospitalisation rate and the general life satisfaction. Severe problems through alcohol use are seen only isolated but in all clients with an earlier diagnosis of alcohol abuse. According to our results alcohol abuse in therapeutic homes is reported less frequently than in other populations of chronic mentally ill clients. It might be suspected that mentally ill patients with additional alcohol problems are not adequately provided with housing in the complementary care system. Verification is needed whether through the development of specific offers this deficit can be regressed.