Characteristics of patients who continue with alcohol outpatient treatment.

Demographic data were collected on 121 patients who were screened and accepted by the outpatient selection of the West Side VA alcohol rehabilitation program. Patients who engaged in active outpatient treatment (26%) were more likely to be: employed at night, sober at the time of the screening, and living within 40 blocks of the hospital. Referring the patient to another facility for detoxification and admitting him to the inpatient section of the rehabilitation program decreased the chances that he would continue with outpatient care.