Ethnographic Evaluation of Case Management for Homeless Alcoholics

Abstract

Case management has long been a staple in social work practice. In recent years it has also emerged as a promising adjunct to chemical dependency treatment, especially for homeless men and women. In a study of the effectiveness of different intensities of case management with homeless alcoholic men, directed by Mark Willenbring, case management was found to be more effective than episodic care alone in reducing use of expensive services such as detoxification and hospital care, and in keeping the majority of the population housed.