ABSTRACT
Rehabilitation in a small group residence for recovering problem drinkers now makes a significant contribution to the range of specialist alcohol services. The 1986 Directory of Alcohol Services for England and Wales compiled by Alcohol Concern lists 86 such projects within the voluntary sector which in total provide 1,048 bed spaces. The main recognisable change has been the erratic development of therapeutic house programmes derived largely from psychological methods used in hospitals. The shift of philosophy was away from paternalistic or custodial authority towards the pursuit of a non-residential democratic ideal involving residents in all aspects of house management. The alcohol-free setting is a condition which staff can best maintain by the selection of residents with a low risk of relapse and by keeping a close watch on the house group. A group break-out can devastate a project for several months. Many houses now adopt a more enlightened approach to residents’ drinking which does not lead to automatic discharge.
