The matching hypothesis, presented in this study, predicts that designing treatment according to patient characteristics leads to better outcomes. A study was conducted to collect data on current practices of patient-treatment matching in alcohol treatment. A questionnaire was completed by 70 directors of Veterans Administration inpatient alcohol treatment programs. The highest rate of matching was reported for marital and family problems. The rates of matching for the treatment of other drug use, psychopathology, and sexual dysfunction reflected the prevalence of these problems among individuals presenting for alcohol treatment. The data on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were consistent with the high frequency of drug and alcohol problems in individuals with PTSD. The preliminary results of the survey revealed a range of program components and a range of patients using components when they were available. These results, combined with responses to direct questions about screening practices and matching for the treatment of specific problem areas, suggest that there is a high rate of matching done in the context of inpatient alcohol treatment and for a wide variety of problem areas. (NB)