The Working Capacity of the Alcohol Abuser

Abstract

Thirty-four alcohol abusers treated at various rehabilitational locations in Sweden were the subjects of an extensive and interdisciplinary study. Thereafter, the working capacity of each subject was followed over a two-year period. Twelve individuals regained capacity for work, either, partially or completely. Thirteen subjects were sick-listed or remained unemployed. The remaining 9 abusers were quickly and unexpectedly pensioned. In order to predict the rehabilitational outcome from the interdisciplinary findings at the onset of the time period, stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed. Those who felt less lonely and had no drinking buddies appeared most likely to be rehabilitated vocationally. This core combination of characteristics accounted for about one third of the variability in the outcome criterion, either trichotomized or dichotomized. Rehabilitational success could be even more strongly predicted by the appearance of such features as less prolonged abuse, social introversion (not cohabiting, reserved attitudes and having only a few friends), orientation to the future and a history of psychiatric care. An elevated level of plasma albumin and a decreased plasma-IgA value raised additionally the multiple correlation coefficient.