A Treatment Program for Alcoholics in a Mental Hospital

Abstract

A pilot project for treating alcoholics on the admission ward of a mental hospital has been described. A program of group therapy was developed on the principles laid down by Alcoholic Anonymous, (A.A.) including work therapy, two weekly sessions of group therapy, three weekly A.A. meetings, bimonthly movies with discussion, and a minimum of individual psychotherapy. Most of the patients also received LSD-25 and the technique of this form of treatment is discussed in detail. Of 58 patients followed up between 6 and 18 months after discharge, 38 remained totally abstinent or had been abstinent except for a short bout immediately after discharge, another 7 had improved, 13 were unimproved and 7 were lost to follow-up. Of 35 paitents who were treated by the same program but without LSD, 4 were abstinent, 4 improved, 9 unimproved, and 18 lost to follow-up. Of 45 controls treated at the same time by individual psychotherapy, 7 were abstinent, 3 improved, 12 unimproved and 23 lost to follow-up.