Characteristics and Help‐seeking Patterns of Attenders at a Community‐based Voluntary Agency and an Alcohol and Drug Treatment Unit

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Abstract
The assumption that clients using community-based facilities in the form of Councils on Alcohols have less serious alcohol problems uncomplicated by the physical, social and psychological difficulties found in those attending Alcohol Treatment Units was not confirmed. One of the most striking findings were the similarities, rather than the differences between the two sample. Both groups had attenders who were heavily dependent on alcohol and were experiencing a wide range of problems. Attenders at both agencies, women as well as men, had help seeking patterns similar to those described for other populations which were discontinuous and uncoordinated and featured multiple contacts and simultaneous use of different services. The need for co-ordination was discusse in the light of the improved outcome which can be expected given appropriate matching of clients to treatment. Some suggestions as to how this might be achieved were discussed.