The Jellinek Curve
The Jellinek Curve, sometimes also called the Jellinek Chart or the Glatt Chart, was not created by E. M. Jellinek. It was Max Glatt, a British physician who added the upswing to Jellinek’s "phases of alcohol addiction" in his article in 1958.
Jellinek’s most widely known contribution to the field of alcohol studies is his concept "phases of progression of alcoholism," popularly referred to as the ”Jellinek curve." Originally published as an annex to a 1952 World Health Organization report, his “Phases of alcohol addiction” elaborated on what he took to be the four phases every alcoholic experienced with corresponding physical and mental characteristics.
Within a few years, Max M. Glatt, a doctor and founder of the Alcoholism Treatment Unit at Warlingham Park Hospital in England, noticed that former patients recounted similar recovery experiences after leaving the hospital. Glatt revised Jellinek’s original phases to include this upswing of recovery. He published the article "Group therapy in alcoholism" in the British Journal of Addiction to Alcohol & Other Drugs in July 1958, volume 54, issue 2, pp. 79-151, including the chart that became known as the Jellinek Curve.
Addiction and Recovery: The Jellinek Curve
A popular version of the Jellinek Curve, which was not created by E. M. Jellinek, but named after him out of respect.
Although Jellinek himself was not responsible for this addition, the expanded Jellinek Curve still bears his name. It has since been widely popularized and remains a staple educational tool at substance abuse treatment centers, despite a general lack of supporting evidence. See some variations of the Jellinek Curve below.
The original Glatt chart
A chart of alcohol addiction and recovery, by Max Glatt
This poster features the original "Jellinek Curve," named after E. M. Jellinek. The curve-shaped chart was created by British physician Max Glatt, who added an upswing recovery segment to Jellinek's "phases of alcoholism." Glatt's article "Group therapy in alcoholism" was published in the British Journal of Addiction to Alcohol & Other Drugs in July 1958, volume 54, issue 2, pp. 79-151, including this chart. This large-scale reproduction was reprinted from the article in size 20.5 by 14.5 inches and distributed by the National Council on Alcoholism, Inc.
Variations of the Jellinek Curve
The progressive disease of alcoholism
Another version of the Jellinek Curve called "The progressive disease of alcoholism" was distributed by the Alcoholism Council of Greater Los Angeles.
The symptoms and phases of alcoholism
An advertisement of the modified Jellinek Chart created by SSAS Alumn William Keaton and his associates.