A comparison of three alcoholism treatment populations. Implications for treatment.

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Abstract
Demographic characteristics and drinking patterns of 3 groups of patients [New York, USA] receiving alcoholism treatment (289 inpaitents 121 outpatients voluntarily receiving treatment and 45 court-remanded outpatients) were compared. Although the inpatients and voluntary outpatients did not differ substantially on demographic variables, the court-remanded group differed from the other 2 in being older, less educated and more likely to be male, non-white and employed. The court-remanded group had the highest number of alcohol-related arrests. The inpatients had the highest number of previous inpatient hospitalizations for alcoholism or psychiatric treatment. Inpatients and voluntary outpatients were more likely than the court-remanded group to have an alcoholic parent, have blackouts, drink alone, drink in the morning, experience an attitudinal change during drinking, drink to avoid shakes and drink daily. According to 4 of these variables, the inpatients had more serious drinking problems than did the voluntary outpatients. Possible explanations for intergroup differences and implications for treatment are discussed.

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