AbstractA halfway house for abstinent alcohol dependants who were employable but lacked social supports was opened in 1973. Experience of the sobriety and employment status of residents up to March 1981 is reviewed.After a mean period of follow‐up of 25 months, 58 per cent were sober and 62 per cent were employed. Control data are lacking to establish what contribution the house made to therapeutic success. Stricter admission criteria are suggested, since demand for places exceeds supply and some subgroups of the clientele did poorly. Younger patients with current or recent employment did well. Neurotic and personality disordered patients are not suitable for this progra