Abstract
M.A. (Social Work)
The treatment of alcoholism is/provided for by many
institutions. Social work is one of the disciplines
directly involved and responsible for the treatment
of alcoholics. One of a number of problems inherent
to service delivering to alcoholics is the problem
of premature termination of treatment.
In this study the occurrence of premature termination
at the West Rand Clinic of the South African National
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence is determined
and the effect of premature termination of the
treatment programme on the alcoholic is explored.
To this end, patient files for the period January 1984
to December 1984 are examined. Four groups were
identified on the basis of time spend in the treatment
programme and stratified samples were drawn from these
groups. A telephone schedule, based on relevant
literature and the researcher's professional experience,
was compiled and interviews were conducted to explore
the effect of premature termination on the alcoholic.
The findings of the study are summarized in the
following conclusions :
- The premature termination rate at the West Rand
Clinic is congruent with findings of similar research.
- Patients who terminated treatment prematurely reported lower
levels of well~being than patients-who completed treatment.