[Characteristics of hospitalized alcoholics]

The background characteristics of 1,173 alcoholics hospitalized for 3 months in this center during December 1982 to December 1994 were reviewed. Socio-demographic variables and termination-of-treatment data, are described. The profile of the typical hospitalized alcoholic was that of a Jewish, urban, married, unemployed man, born in Asia-Africa (or in Israel) who had been living for many years in Israel and had many children and a low educational level. They usually start drinking in adolescence and come to the center after more than 15 years of drinking, mainly at home and alone, and also have family relatives who drink. Implications of the data for treatment and for family physicians are presented.