Alcoholics in Ontario: Where Do they Go for Help and What Happens when they Get there?

This research examined services in Ontario for persons with alcohol-related problems. The sample included 152 alcohol-specific agencies and 670 general health, social and correctional resources. It was found that alcohol-related problems figure prominently in most community resources and incur large costs. However, many more people are identified than actually receive services for their drinking problem. Although some resources (notably those classified as Social Assistance) see large numbers of persons with alcohol problems, few are referred to other resources for management of these problems. When clients are referred to other resources they go primarily to residential alcohol programs or to self-help groups. Finally, assessment procedures are generally very minimal with only hospital-based resources using comprehensive, standardized measures to any extent. The data suggest a number of ways in which the health and social service network in Ontario could more efficiently manage clients with alcohol-related problems.