A Comprehensive Alcoholism Program in the Army

The authors describe the development and operation of a comprehensive alcoholism program at Fort Benning, Ga., that might serve as a model for community alcoholism treatment. The factors that seemed especially important in the success of the Fort Benning program were: establishing working relationships with medical personnel to provide physical examinations and detoxification services; offering a variety of therapies to meet patient needs; establishing an intensive treatment program that maintains community support and does not generate the kind of iatrogenic invalidism associated with classic inpatient care; introducing a systems approach to ensure comprehensiveness and continuity of care; fostering broad community involvement in planning and implementation; staff education and development; and involvement in bringing about changes in civilian and military attitudes toward alcoholism and alcoholics.