Evening star., 1950-08-27
Alcoholic Clinic
Has 671 Cases,
Report Shows
Brood Program
Aimed to Suit
individual Need

A total of 671 patients had at.
tended the Districts new Alco-
holic Rehabilitation Program
Clinic before it completed its first
six months of operation.
A report submitted to the Com
missioners by DR.. Leopold E. Wex-
berg, clinic director, said these
patients made a total of $500
visits to the clinic from the time
it opened on February 16 to
July 81.
Clinic officials said they felt
each patient had been helped, but
that it was too early for any actual
rehabilitation figures. They point
ed out it probably would take
years for such an analysis Of the
clinics experience.
1--WE do feel" the report said,
that everyone who came to the
clinic for treatment encountered
a program broadly suited to his
needs. With sufficient motivation
for improvement the patient il
provided with experiences that en-
able him to make a better ad-
justment in life"
OF the 671 patients, 388 were
voluntary newcomers, 156 were
new patients sent from court and
127 were patients from the old
alcoholic clinic.
Procedures Outlined.
The report also outlined the
procedures that have been worked
out for the clinic.
For court cases. two teams of
professional staff members, one
consisting of two social workers
and the other of a psychologist
and volunteer assistants. are at
court two days week to screen
defendants.
A short lecture is given all de-
PENDANTS waiting in the cell block
on the aims and purposes of the
clinic. Those who are interested
receive a screening by psycf1o-
logical group tests and individ-
ual interviews with the social
workers.
By 10 am, when court con-
venes, the screening has yielded
from 6 to 10. prospects" for re-
habilitation. This list is submit
ted to the judge, who may accept
the recommendations and COM
NIT the defendants to the clinic.
In some cases, he continues the
case and sends the patient first
to the District Jail infirmary to
sober up entirely before COM
mitment to the clinic.
To straighten out minor tech
nical porblems arising In the
administrative and judiciary han
ding of court cases without ap-
pealing to, the judges, it was de.
cided to establish a working com.
mittee consisting of representa-
tive of the judiciary, Judge Nadine
Gallagher; representative of
the Corporation Council. and the
chairman of the Advisory Board,
Col. E. Goring Bliss.
Voluntary patients selected for
clinic treatment are given an ap-
pointment for an intake" inter-
view with one of the professional
workers. After that they have a
diagnostic interview with a psy-
Ichiatrist and physical examina-
ton by physician. Medicine is
prescribed as needed and dis
pensed by nurse.
Patients who still have hang
overs are given oxygen inhala-
tions which involve several hours
stay in the clinic.
Psychiatrist In Charge.
The psychiatrist prescribes treat
ment, assigning the case to a pro-
fessional worker for therapy, to
group therapy and to occupational
therapy. He sometimes refers the
patient to the psychologist for
testing. Those in need of hos
pitalization are referred to Gall
Ilinger Hospital.
In accordance with the law.
voluntary patients who can pay
are asked 81 for each treatment
session. and have to get their
medicine from private drugstores.
The large majority is unable to
pay.
Professional workers doing ther-
apy who are not doctors, work
under supervision of a psychia-
trist. Group therapy is carried
out with eight to 10 selected pa
tients who meet regularly under
the leadership of a psychiatrist
or social worker to discuss their
problems and thereby help one
another.
A special type of gEo up therapy
sioners for one psychologist, q
which emotional problems con-
Inected with drinking are acted
out.
The report said that occupation
al and recreational therapy still
are in stage of development.
AiSA Z dlC AAoW PdlitIIlS anu WGdN"
ing groups. The clinic is waiting
for equipment and supplies to start
groups for carpentry, ceramics,
music and other activities.
1t was pointed out that three
more rooms had to be obtained
to add to the clinics Is, and that
more personnel is needed.
A request is before the Commits
sioners TO rome psychologist, a
social worker, nurse, clinic
aide and authorization to employ
part-time instructors for occupa-
tional therapy up to $500 a year.
Present personnel includes the
director and an assistant director.
a full-time and a half time staff
psychiatrist "a half-time physician,
a psychologist. two social workers.
a probation officer. two public
health nurses, and occupational