In this article, we examined the extent of alcohol abuse among several groups of individuals with other disabilities. We then compared our results with rehabilitation counselors estimates of alcohol abuse in the same client groups. One hundred and thirty-four rehabilitation clients were administered the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) at the time of initial interview to determine their level of alcohol consumption and/or abuse. The results indicated that clients with chronic mental illness and those with limitations resulting from physical trauma have a appreciably higher rate of alcohol abuse than the other identified client groups (those with congenital & developmental disabilities) or the general population. When we asked 40 rehabilitation counselors to estimate probable alcohol abuse rates for these client groups, we found that the counselors slightlyoverestimated alcohol abuse problems among people with congenital and development disabilities, and appreciably underestimated the prevalence of alcohol abuse among clients with physically induced trauma or chronic mentallllness. The results suggest that rehabilitation counselors may lack awareness about this “hidden disability,” within selected client groups, and, the results also imply a need for improved counselor training related to alcohol abuse issues in rehabilitation populations.

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