The major objective of this study is to test whether the provision of routine follow-up by EAP staff has an effect on the recovery of EAP clients and the prevention of relapse, over a two-year period after program entry. In addition, the study will explore variables that may predict who benefits from follow-up and who does not. All employees who enter the employee assistance program of a large manufacturing firm during the first study year and who agree to be part of the study will comprise the sample (estimated N = 450). After assessment and referral for appropriate treatment, the subjects will be randomly assigned to an experimental or control condition. In the experimental condition clients will be contacted regularly following a specified protocol, to provide support, encouragement and assistance as required. In the control condition contacts will be made only on an as-needed basis. Outcomes will be measured based on attendance and job retention information, utilization of health benefits, especially for mental disorders, and numbers of hospitalizations during the follow-up period, as well as subjective reports of participants. Various measures of relapse will be utilized to test the hypothesis that provision of follow-up will reduce relapse. The mediating effects of other support groups will also be examined.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA006587-02
Application #
3109762
Study Section
(SRC)
Project Start
1985-02-01
Project End
1988-01-31
Budget Start
1986-02-01
Budget End
1987-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109