Alcoholism among Chicanos is principally due to structural deficiencies in the surrounding society. The frustrations and limitations brought on by the social structure constitute the principal cause of Chicano alcoholism. These include the major causative factors of poverty, racism and acculturation. In an attempt to address the problem of alcoholism among Mexican Americans, the Mexican American Unity Council implemented in 1974 "Casa del Sol," a federally funded alcoholism project which uses the intrinsic strengths of the Mexican American culture as part of the treatment process. Therapy is based on cultural assessment, culturally individualized treatment plans and the study of Chicano culture and history. The staff of the project are both bilingual and biculturally trained. To assess the effectiveness of the program a study was conducted in 1976 on 17 of the clients between the ages of 17 to 48. A questionnaire was filled out by the inpatient counselor as the client came into the program and thirty days after he left the inpatient unit. Data analysis showed that the treatment process was significant in increasing the attendance rate at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and employment status and number of days worked. The number of days of hospitalization, alcoholism related arrests, number of days the client drank and the amount of alcohol consumed all decreased. This type of bilingual, bicultural treatment is a viable, realistic concept. (DS)