An Analysis of Racial Differences in Services to Alcoholics in a Southern Clinic

Data were gathered on 787 male alcoholics (669 whites and 118 blacks) to determine if there were racial differences in the amount of services they received at the Georgian Clinic. No pattern of discrimination against black patients was found as measured by seven indexes of service, or in racial comparisons of patients with similar social characteristics. The lack of racial bias appeared to result from the clinic's treatment philosophy and organizational structure, which encouraged staff to relate to patients as individuals and discouraged bureaucratic procedures.