[Social psychiatry aspects of alcoholism: epidemiology, treatment structures and recent results of therapy research].

In Germany the per capita consumption of alcohol has tripled since World War II with a slight decrease in recent years. The number of alcoholics has been estimated between 2.5 mill. and 10 mill. Epidemiological studies suggest a 6-month prevalence rate of 3.1% (USA 2.9%): 10.4% in males, 0.8% in females; Life-time prevalence estimates range up to 13%. More recent findings also suggest that alcoholism in adolescents is an increasing problem. The resources for treatment of alcoholism are limited: Only 1% of all alcoholics are treated in special addiction rehabilitation programmes, whereas the majority of patients are treated by their physician, in a general hospital or not at all. Approximately 30,000 patients are treated in special clinical rehabilitation programmes per year. Socioeconomic consequences of alcoholism have not been evaluated in detail; some cast models are discussed. In recent years both day-hospital and outpatient rehabilitation programmes for alcoholics have been established but few catamnestic studies have been conducted so far. The possible benefit of new antidipsotropic agents (so-called anticraving drugs) must also be examined in greater detail. Catamnestic findings and the outcome of treatment studies are discussed.