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A Therapeutic Revolving Door
Richard P. Fox, MD;
Marie B. Graham, RN;
Michael J. Gill, MD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1972;26(2):179-182.
Abstract
The replacement of the "drunk tank" by the "detoxification center" as society's response to long-term alcoholism raises the question of whether these centers may not become new "revolving doors" for the alcoholic where his symptoms are treated while his illness is ignored. A two-year experience with such a unit suggests that this need not be the case. A follow-up of the first 100 patients admitted to such a center for detoxification revealed that 43 were readmitted one or more times, that 41 maintained contact with the unit during sober intervals, and that 16 achieved extended sobriety. Through an open readmission policy the unit and its staff establish a developing therapeutic relationship which extends beyond the periods of drinking and helps the patient confront and begin to deal with his severe alcoholism problem.
Author Affiliations
Boston
From the Austin Detoxification Unit, Austin Unit, Boston State Hospital, and the Tufts Community Mental Health Center, Boston.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication July 19, 1971.
Reprint requests to Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health, Boston State Hospital, Boston 02124 (Dr. Fox).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Therapeutic Environments: A View of Nondyadic Treatment Situations
Fox
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1973;29:514-517.
ABSTRACT
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