AN OVERVIEW ON THE USE OF PSYCHODRAMA AND GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD

Abstract

Two years of work at the Jellinek Clinic of the Medical Consultation Bureau for Alcoholism at Amsterdam was discussed. This clinic has facilities for 1500 out-patients of which 50% are on probation and is constituted of both male and female, plus 16 beds for in-patients, which is restricted to males. Weekly evening sessions were conducted for duration of 2-2¼ hours with alcoholics and spouses and afternoon sessions with hospitalized male patients. Size of groups ranged up to 15 patients and 5 staff members with 2 or 3 social workers trained as auxiliary egos. Since psychiatric supervision was established there has been more confidence and faith at lower levels where there had sometimes been misunderstanding, and the feeling that psychodrama is something like a mental "strip tease" act.