Resultados de 2 años de un programa de rehabilitación de enfermos alcohólicos / Results of a long term alcoholism rehabilitation program

One hundred eighty two alcoholics admitted for treatment of their alcoholism were followed during 2 years in a special clinic. The effects of length of alcoholism, withdrawal symptoms on admission and the presence of histological liver damage on long term outcome were assessed using life table analysis. During the 2 years period, 75 percent of patients were lost from control and 63 percent relapsed in their alcoholic ingestion. None of the above mentionated parameters had an effect on relapse or loss from follow up. There are high attrition and failure rates and the length of alcoholism, degree of initial withdrawal and the liver damage do not influence the long term results of this program