Demographic Characteristics of Alcoholic Outpatients and the Tendency to Remain in Treatment

Abstract

Comparison of a group of alcoholic out-patients and a group of chronic police case inebriates on several demographic variables was made. The former were younger, more likely to be married, better educated and less likely to have remained unskilled workers. Examination of out-patient characteristics as related to tendency to remain in treatment, revealed no relationship to such factors as age, marital status, education, occupation or place of birth. Referral source did show some relationship to utilization of clinic services with the self and family referred more likely to make use of clinic services and those referred by the court or casual acquaintances being unlikely to remain long in treatment.