A comparison of two techniques to reach relatives of alcoholics for information of available support

Two different information techniques to reach spouses and relatives of inpatient alcoholics for information of available support, one standardized and one individualized, were compared. Each procedure was tested during 6 months in the same ward. In the standardized model 18% (20/112) and in the individualized model 20% (21/104) of spouses/relatives/friends attended the information session. In those living with a spouse, the rates were 46% and 41% respectively, and among those who were not cohabiting, but had relatives or sober friends, the figures were 11% and 17% respectively. There were no sex differences. Among preferred support, individual support, marital and family support and professional group support received the highest ratings. At the 1 year follow-up, more subjects in the individualized information group had received support compared with those in the standardized group. The low rates of informed subjects are in agreement with the literature and considerably lower than the rates in information programmes for relatives of schizophrenic patients.