A randomized trial of alternative treatments for problem drinking employees: Study design, major findings, and lessons for worksite research

Abstract

This paper presents the rationale, design, implementation and results of a 10-year study comparing alternative treatments for problem drinkers identified on the job. It presents greater detail than has been previously reported, both on the logistics of the study and on selected results. The study assigned 227 newly-identified alcohol-abusing EAP clients to three alternative alcoholism rehabilitation regimens: the first began with a three-week period of mandatory inpatient rehabilitation; the second mandated only that the employee attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings; the third offered subjects a choice among treatments. All three groups improved, and no significant differences were found among the groups in job-related outcome variables. On measures of drinking and drug use, the hospital group fared best and that assigned to AA the least well. The differences among the groups were especially pronounced for workers who had used cocaine within six months before study entry. The paper concludes with cautions and caveats and with recommendations for policy and for future research.