The Role of the Occupational Therapist Treatment of Alcoholism

This paper presents brief information on the incidence of alcoholism, its effects on physiological and psychosocial dysfunction, and the disease concept. More detailed information is provided on a treatment program designed to meet the special needs of the alcoholic patient, and the integral role of the occupational therapist in this program is explained. Patients are given support to accept the chronic disease of alcoholism, are taught skills needed to maintain sobriety, have opportunities to begin utilizing resources for sobriety, and are assisted in regaining a sense of self-worth.