The authors compare chronic recidivists and the general psychiatric admissions populations during 1977 on various demographic and hospitalization factors. Data on 102 undomiciled patients (a subgroup of the chronic recidivist sample) is presented for comparative purposes. Findings reveal that the chronic recidivists were younger, and more often white males and single than the general psychiatric population. The authors discuss their proposal for a low-demand drop-in center to attract highly transient former mental patients who are alienated from more formal services. The authors contend that such a program would provide one alternative to the psychiatric hospital as the initial entry point to services.
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