The provision of services for alcohol problems: A community perspective for understanding access

Alcohol use is related to numerous health and social problems. The article describes the prevalence of alcohol problems and dependence across a county and its institutions. While high rates of problem drinking were found acro ss health, mental health, criminal justice, welfare, drug, and alcohol prog rams, the proportion was highest for primary health clinics, the criminal j ustice system, and welfare agencies. This also was the case when the county 's most serious alcohol problem cases-individuals who were alcohol dependen t-were examined. Thus it may be useful to develop screening procedures, mai nstream treatment interventions in non-alcohol specialty agencies, and incl ude non-specialty agencies in services research on access.