The relationship between alcoholic patients' milieu perception and measures of their drinking during a brief follow-up period.

Patient perceptions of alcoholism treatment programs were assessed by the Ward Atmosphere Scale and the Community Oriented Program Environment Scale. Patient perceptions were related to drinking during a brief follow-up period. The Personal Problem Orientation, Anger and Aggression, and Program Clarity subscales were found to correlate more frequently with patient drinking. Patient perception of the treatment environment, as well as the actual treatment milieu, may be important aspects of the alcoholism treatment process.