Posttreatment follow-up, aftercare, and worksite reentry of the recovering alcoholic employee.
A review of literature on the effects of aftercare in the treatment of alcoholism reveals mixed results, with some studies showing positive effects and some showing no effects. However, few studies controlled for bias in the process of selection into aftercare, and many of the studies reveal significant difficulties in engaging patients into aftercare. The relapse prevention model is reviewed as a potentially powerful tool for use in aftercare. The literature on worksite reentry of alcoholics shows a generally positive correlation between employment and recovery, but does not produce unambiguous findings regarding the direction of the relationship. A nontraditional, proactive approach to aftercare is proposed, based on studies of other types of health problems that show improved results with this approach. It is argued that the worksite is the most appropriate place to locate aftercare services for employed alcoholics, particularly worksites with employee assistance programs. However, further research is needed to guide the development of these services.
Foote
A
A
Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2054.
Erfurt
J C
JC
D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012008:Recurrence; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods*