Alcohol Problems of Employee Assistance Program Populations

ABSTRACT

Alcohol problems of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) participants who are self-referred are more likely to be female, and less likely to have measurable alcohol problems than are employer-referred participants. Using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), a population of 206 clients of an EAP were screened for self-reported drinking patterns. The MAST was determined to be an excellent adjunct to the EAP and especially useful with employer-referred clients, who were more likely to have alcohol problems. The mean score on the MAST for self-referred clients was 4.47±7.86 (“borderline”) as opposed to employer-re-ferred clients whose mean score was 10.36± 12.32 (“likely alcoholism”).