Bradley Googins

Alcoholism Day Treatment: Rationale, Research, and Resistance

Despite recent cost-containment pressures, 28-day inpatient treatment continues to predominate in the field of alcoholism treatment. This paper presents some clinical, pragmatic and fiscal disadvantages of the inpatient model. Day treatment is discussed as an alternative modality and the results of a study supporting day treatment are also presented. Several hypotheses to explain the continued predominance of inpatient treatment are offered.

Implementing long-term EAP follow-up with clients and family members to help prevent relapse-With implications for primary prevention.

This paper reports on a study in progress which involves (a) regular post-treatment contact by employee assistance program (EAP) staff with employees who seek help through the EAP, and (b) contact with a family member or other support person designated by the employee. The contacts are designed to provide support for maintenance of therapeutic gains, assistance in adjusting to current life situations, and early identification and prevention of relapse. The study will evaluate the process of initiating these contacts and will examine their effectiveness at reducing relapse. Factors associated with implementing these services in an EAP context are discussed.