The role of the occupational therapist treatment of alcoholism.

This paper presents brief mforma­ tion on the incidence of alcohol­ ism, its effects on physiological and psychosocial dysfunction, and the disease concept. j\![ ore detai led information is provided on a treatment program designed to meet the special needs of the alco­ holiC pallent, and the integral role of the occupational therapist In this program IS explained. Patients are given support to accept the chronic disease of alcoholism, are taught skills needed to maintain sobrzety, have opportunities to beg·in utilizmg resources for sobriety, and are assisted m regainzng a sense of self-worth. Before examining the role of the occupational therapist in the treatment of alcoholism, it is im­ portant to understand the incidenCf of alcoholism, its impact on health care, and some basic concepts about the disease. Alcoholism is a disease of considerable magnitude. In 1973, there were 9,500,000 people with alcoholism on the North American continent, of which 90 percent or more represen t a cross section of the population (I). Recent studies