A Procedure for Establishing Therapeutic Contact with the Alcoholic

Abstract

Preliminary findings from an on-going project are described whereby a simultaneous approach to the alcholic is made: at the intrapersonal level by an "alcoholism treatment catalyst", represented by a full-time psychiatrist physically present in the emergency ward, and at the interpersonal level by a 2d "alcoholism treatment catalyst", a psychiatric social worker dealing with the patient outside the hospital and within his social setting. Tnese provide a continuous therapeutic relation from initial contact in the emergency ward through psychiatric treatment, thereby avoiding the fragmentation, rejection, and isolation common in therapeutic contacts with the alcoholic. Previous study revealed less than 1% of alcoholic patients from the emergency ward follow through on recommendations for treatment. To date in this study, 42%, made an initial clinic visit and 20% maintained a therapeutic relation. One percent of the control group made contact - none sustained a relation. The structure of the psychosocial environment in which the study has been carried out has altered with consequences favorable to the alcoholic. Project also reveals inadequate facilities exist to provide for the basic needs of the alcoholic. Previous treatment failures in alcoholism may be the result of inadequate techniques in the initial contact.