Comparative evaluation of medical vs. social treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Compared medical and social setting detoxification treatments of alcohol withdrawal syndrome on the degree to which each involved alcoholics in ongoing rehabilitative efforts. Two hundred patients were selected randomly from both treatments and administered the Physical Problem Inventory, Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, Assessment of Life Experience, and Level of Motivation scales. Analysis of covariance with multiple covariates was employed to assess the effect of the treatment model on willingness to continue rehabilitation as measured by the dependent variable, ongoing referral status. The difference between detoxification treatment models was highly significant, and none of the covariates, which controlled for pretest differences and the assignment process, was significant. Results are discussed in the context of current notions of pharmacotherapy, learning, and physiological models of withdrawal treatment. In addition, expectancies, in terms of perceived responsibility for outcome, are discussed as important factors that contribute to the discrepancy between medical vs. social models in the treatment of alcoholism.