Adoption of the Uniform Alcoholism Act and the Availability of Alcoholism Treatment Programs: A State-by-State Examination

Abstract

This research examines geographic differences in the availability of alcoholism treatment programs throughout the United States. Using a substantially complete national listing of alcoholism treatment programs, significant differences in treatment availability based upon state, division, and region were found. The variations in treatment availability were strongly related to the adoption of the Uniform Alcoholism Act, with the influence of the UAA being more pronounced in nonmetro-politan areas. Treatment availability was only weakly related to the extent of alcohol-related problems. It is suggested that the UAA may be adopted through the social mandates of metropolitan areas and that nonmetropolitan areas respond with increased treatment availability as a result of the legal mandate of the legislation. It is concluded that without the official redefinition of alcoholism as a condition requiring treatment, the establishment of an adequate treatment capability is severely impaired.