Method
Subjects
The study sample consisted of all consecutive
admissions to the inpatient substance abuse
treatment program of a private, nonprofit psychiatric
hospital from April to June 1991. During this
time, 37 patients were admitted to the chemicaldependency program, of whom 9 were excluded
because of a primary dependence on a drug other
than alcohol as determined by an intake Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd.
ed., rev., American Psychiatric Association, 1987)
diagnosis taken by a hospital psychiatrist. The
remaining 28 patients (21 men and 7 women)
received a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence
and consented to participate in the study.