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Community psychiatric nurse aftercare for alcoholics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Diana G Patterson ,
Maureen W McCourt  and
Joyce R A Shiels
Diana G Patterson
Affiliation:
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, 1 Donaghanie Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 ONS
Joyce R A Shiels
Affiliation:
Alcohol Treatment Unit, Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
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Abstract

One hundred and twenty-seven white male alcoholics, treated in a rural setting, were assigned to one of two groups. Seventy-three subjects received intensive aftercare by Community Psychiatric nurse and fifty-four control subjects received standard aftercare with outpatient appointments. Subjects were assessed one year after treatment. Fifty-four per cent of those given Community Psychiatric Nurse follow-up were completely abstinent compared with twenty per cent of those in the control group. Those receiving Community Psychiatric Nurse follow-up were less likely to have blackouts, hospital admissions or marital discord in the year following treatment. They were more likely to attend hospital meetings regularly. This form of aftercare is an effective way of maximising the benefits of expensive inpatient treatment.

Keywords

AlcoholCommunity Psychiatric NurseAbstinenceAftercare.
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 4 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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