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Management Problems in a Small Hostel with a Controlled Drinking Programme
Author(s) -
Gilligan Toni,
Norris Hugh,
Yates Fred. E.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
british journal of addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0952-0481
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1983.tb02512.x
Subject(s) - abstinence , psychology , environmental health , medicine , psychiatry
Summary The report describes some difficulties encountered in the management of a hostel for problem drinkers, which offered a controlled drinking programme. Compared with a similar hostel with an abstinence programme, there were more incidents of illicit drinking and consequent disruption. A number of reasons for this are discussed, in particular the difficulty of defining illicit drinking in the controlled drinking programme. The dual function of drinking limits in alcoholism treatment programmes, as both treatment aim and rule, is considered. It is concluded that the problems arose from a clash between the rule functions of the hostel and the drinking aim, not from the controlled drinking aim in itself. Suggestions for other ways of managing a controlled drinking programme are offered.