Abstract
D.Phil. (Social Work)
The treatment of out-patient alcoholics has thus far commanded little research attention in South Africa. The present investigation alms to provide a profile of the characteristics both of clients who approach out-patient clinics for help and of those
who render service in this field. Additionally, an attempt is made to delineate the nature of treatment received by outpatient alcoholics and to link any subsequent relapse to aspects of such treatment and to characteristics which they evidence. In this way characteristics of clients which may be indicative of favourable prognosis as well as specific components of treatment which may promote rehabilitation are identified.
All 390 alcoholic clients who approached the 26 out-patient clinics in South Africa for help during 1st April to 30th June 1981 inclusive, comprise the research universe. To each of these clients an interview schedule was administered by professional staff
members at the various clinics in order to obtain i~formation pertaining to major client characteristics. Such staff members, by means of a standardised check list, also monitored the nature of treatment received by each client in the investigation. The
relapse of clients was ascertained by the researcher personally tracing their readmission at any in- or out-patient clinic in South Africa within one year of their individual dates of discharge from clinics where they were drawn for inclusion in the
investigation. In order to identify the major characteristics of staff members,
especially those pertaining to their employment at the various clinics, the researcher personally administered an interview schedule to each of the 84 professionals who comprise the staff research universe. These staff members were directly involved
in rendering service to the 390 out-patient clients during the course of their formal treatment periods.