Prediction of hospital readmission among male problem drinkers using demographic variables.

No study has identified the demographic characteristics which are associated with high risk of hospital readmission among problem drinkers. One hundred eighty-five male Ss discharged from a state hospital with alcoholic diagnoses were followed up for one year. Demographic information was taken from hospital files. Fifty-four of the Ss (29.2%) returned to an inpatient institution within the follow-up period. Four variables were predictive of high readmission rates: previous hospitalizations, marital status, age, and educational level. High-risk Ss had these characteristics: one or more previous hospitalizations, married, and between the ages of 35 and 45; or Ss with previous hospitalizations, married, and having less than 12 years of education. The results partially support the notion that drinkers with relatively low social achievement are more liable to be readmitted. Several explanations are given for the surprisingly high readmission rates among raarrieds