A History of Job-Based Alcoholism Programs: 1900–1955

Abstract

The early history of job-based alcoholism programs can be traced to efforts to eliminate alcohol from the workplace that were prevalent into the early years of the 20th Century, and to subsequent socio-economic factors which mandated a change in long-accepted behaviors and employer policies. Numerous forces, including World War II and its impact on the labor market, led to the need for rehabilitating alcoholics in the work force, a need recognized by a number of sensitive and innovative industrial physicians. Evidence supports the conclusion, however, that without the existence of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the dedication and almost super-human efforts of some of its members in developing and supporting the early programs, few of these programs would have survived.

In an attempt to partially describe the events, forces, and individuals which were involved in the formative period of occupational alcoholism programs during the 1940's and 1950's, the authors have collected material from a variety of sources, including many first-hand accounts from persons directly concerned in early program development. It is hoped that this material will promote increasing interest in the history of job-based alcoholism programs and generate further input from sources that can contribute to knowledge about this movement which has had such a strong impact on the progress of alcoholism intervention practices.