Some Research Problems with the Alcoholic and Drug Dependent Prisoner

Abstract

The problem of the alcoholic and drug dependent prisoner is considered under two main headings: the “alcoholic offender” e.g. the “drunk and disorderly” and the offender who may, incidentally, be an alcoholic. Research in terms of both groups is badly needed and the major topics may be considered under three headings: (a) Epidemiology; (b) Natural history and aetiological factors; and (c) Treatment techniques and their evaluation.

It is suggested that further research may well demonstrate that there is no one clinical entity to be termed “alcoholism” but that there are “the alcoholisms” and that some of these may have much in common with such as gambling and recidivism from a psycho-pathological point of view and thus from the standpoint of therapeutic requirements.

Another field for research is concerned with the “family” of the alcoholics and this field overlaps the problem of after-care which, as an aspect of treatment, is of very considerable importance.