A total community approach to the treatment of alcoholism.

A review of psychopathology and withdrawal in alcoholics is presented. The use of disulfiram, milieu and half-way houses in the treatment of alcoholic patients is described. The role of the Community Mental Health Center is outlined. An extensive description of Palm Beach County's approach to the treatment of alcoholism is then explained. This heterogeneous county offers facilities for all types of patients, from the lowest to highest socioeconomic backgrounds. Detoxification in the Palm Beach Community Mental Health Center is fully described. The half-way houses, Alcoholics Anonymous programs, and other outpatient and inpatient treatment facilities are depicted.