Introduction: Evolution of alcoholism and its treatment in Spain

Abstract

In this paper we review, in a narrative way, the most important hallmarks in the concept, epidemiology, assistance, and the evolution of alcoholism in Spain from the last century to our days. We describe the activity of the Liga Española de Higiene Mental, after the social and higienist interest showed at the end of the XIX century. We describe too the integration of alcoholism care in the psychiatric assistance from the end of the XIX century to the first third of the XX century. We analyse the legal and care organisation changes supported by the Consejo Superior Psiquiátrico until the civil war in the alcoholism field. We outline the pioneer role of some psychiatric dispositives. We review the function developed, from the sixties, by the Dispensarios Antialcohólicos of the PANAP, centres devoted specifically to the treatment of alcoholism. We also review the work developed by the Interministerial Commission for alcoholism and other dependences created in 1975 as well as the creation of scientific societies and patients associations. Then we analyse the impact of regional (autonomic) activities on alcoholism care from its beginning to our days. We outline the heterogeneity in the level of alcoholism assistance in each of the regions. We describe the epidemiological changes of alcoholism problems and the therapeutic resources available, in the public and private field, in each period of time. We introduce the most important theoretical concepts which support the therapeutic techniques and the care organization. At the end we emphasize the actualisation and the integration of available sanitary and social resources to cope with the serious problems originated by alcoholism at the same level than other similar problems.