An investigation of an alcoholism rehabilitation halfway house. IV. Attractions of the halfway house for residents.

Abstract

SummaryIngredients of an alcoholism halfway house rehabilitation programme which were thought a priori to be “therapeutic” were generally considered relatively unimportant by halfway house residents but having a “no drink rule” at the house was perceived as being the most important ingredient. A factor analysis suggested three interpretable dimensions of perceived importance to residents. The first two appeared to reflect relative degrees of interest, firstly, in verbal therapy, and secondly, in the opportunity for social recovery. It is argued that these two dimensions reflect rather different conceptions of a halfway house and that halfway house provision in the alcoholism field should allow for both conceptions and should not at this stage be based exclusively upon one or other of them. The third factor contrasted an interest in “getting by alone” and an interest in exposure to Alcoholics Anonymous and other sources of information on alcoholism. Residents whose alcoholism was relatively chronic tended towards the latter interests.