A Program for the Treatment and Study of Alcoholism in a Veterans Administration Hospital

Abstract

An institutional program for the rehabilitation of alcoholics at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Houston, Texas has been outlined. The treatment phase is divided into 3 elements: physical medicine and rehabilitation, intensive group therapy, and disposition. A choice of manual arts therapy, industrial therapy, educational therapy, occupational therapy, or music therapy is available. Recreational therapy, to ensure some form of physical exercise, is required for all patients. Logotherapeutic group therapy is practiced on a very intensive scale with groups of 12 patients meeting twice a day, 5 days a week. Discharge planning by a team of social worker, counseling psychologist, recreational therapist, placement officer, coordinator of community resources and treatment personnel is an integral and necessary part of the program and every effort is made to aid the patient in his transition from the hospital. The results of the program are under investigation.