Two groups of employed men in an alcoholic rehabilitation program, one referred through an organized policy of constructive coercion and the other composed of volunteers, were compared to test the efficacy of constructive coercion in the rehabilitation process. It was found the patients referred by constructive coercion were younger, had fewer psychosocial problems, had a higher percentage abstinent, and had higher rates of compliance with follow-up. It was concluded that a policy of constructive coercion does allow earlier identification of workers with alcohol problems and does improve the chances for a positive treatment outcome. (Author)