Promoting possible alcoholism referrals

Abstract

Careful intake statistics concerning problem-types and referral sources can be used to estimate secular and seasonal trends. The effect of a publicity campaign promoting intake is superimposed upon these trends and so requires their estimation before it can be evaluated. In this study of a campaign to promote alcoholism referrals, the aggregate effect of the publicity was great enough to be confidently distinguished from a background of seasonal trends. Its effect on referrals from other agencies and professionals seems, however, more limited than one might expect.