Citation

Schwartz LS, Taylor JR. Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse 1989; 15(3): 321-337.

Affiliation

Veterans Administration Lakeside Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2763987

Abstract

The attitudes of 100 urban mental health professionals toward alcoholism diagnosis and treatment were assessed using a 23-item questionnaire. A significant number of those sampled, physicians more than other professional groups, looked upon alcoholism as a disease in its own right. Physicians, attendings more than residents, subscribed to a more medical history-taking model. While the majority of those surveyed would advise complete sobriety, a large number would not. Likewise, despite a large percentage of our sample who indicated familiarity with alcohol-related concepts, a significant number did not. Referral to Alcoholics Anonymous was highly endorsed by those advocating sobriety. The meaning of these findings is discussed in relation to the marked improvement noted in professionals' attitudes toward alcoholic patients. Based on these findings, methods of further improving the clinician's awareness of alcoholism are considered.

Language: en