Family Alcohol Problems of Employee Assistance Program Populations

Abstract

This article highlights family alcohol problems of clients seeking services through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The data is analyzed in aggregate and according to self-referral or employer-referral clients. Using the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST; Jones, 1987) a population of 206 clients of an EAP were screened for self-reported drinking patterns in their family of origin.

We found the CAST to be a useful part of an EAP's armamentariurn. In particular, the tool identified employer-referrals as being significantly from alcoholic families (72.5%). The mean score on the CAST for self-referrals was 5.96 = ± 8.96 as opposed to an employer-referral mean score of 13.29 ± 9.22. The CAST clearly differentiated between Non-Children of Alcoholics and Children of Alcoholics regardless of referral type.