Characteristics and Help-Seeking Patterns of Attenders at a Community Based Voluntary Agency and an Alcohol Treatment Unit

Allan, Carole A (1992) Characteristics and Help-Seeking Patterns of Attenders at a Community Based Voluntary Agency and an Alcohol Treatment Unit. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

A consecutive series of 112 problem drinkers attending a community based voluntary agency were followed up over a six month period, in order to measure their compliance with treatment. In common with many other agencies attrition rates were high and this was especially true for self-referrals. Those coming through the usual referral channels attended more frequently. Clients attending from the Courts, hostels and from employers attained the highest rates of compliance. A second study examined a representative sample of fifty clients attending a Council on Alcohol and fifty patients attending an Alcohol Treatment Unit. The assumption that clients using community- based facilities have less serious alcohol problems uncomplicated by the physical, social and psychological difficulties found in those attending Alcohol Treatment Units was not confirmed. Attenders at both agencies, women as well as men, had help seeking patterns similar to those described for other populations which were discontinuous and unco-ordinated and featured multiple contacts and simultaneous use of different services. One fifth of clients attending a community based voluntary agency presented for treatment with an alcohol problem complicated by affective disorder, phobic anxiety or personality disorder. A similar levels of formal psychiatric disorder was also identified in the ATU sample, except for a small group of women. One quarter of women in this group were phobic with some overlap of affective disorder. Rates of psychological symptoms as opposed to psychiatric disorder were high in both samples and appeared to be associated with severity of dependence on alcohol. No sex differences were apparent in the rates of psychological symptoms. The need for co-ordination was discussed in the light of the improved outcome which can be expected given appropriate matching of clients to treatment. Some suggestions as to how this might be achieved were discussed.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: D N Brooks
• Keywords: Clinical psychology, Counseling Psychology
• Date of Award: 1992
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1992-75324
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 21:02
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 21:02
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75324