This study examined the health beliefs and attitudes of patients seen in an alcoholism treatment clinic and investigated the relationship between these beliefs and attitudes and patient compliance as defined by length of time in treatment contact. Results showed that health beliefs and attitudes measured at the onset of treatment were predictive of patient adherence to treatment. Elements of the Health Belief Model found to be strongly associated with compliance included patients' perceived severity of their drinking problem, their expectations of improvement by remaining in treatment, and their levels of satisfaction with aspects of the doctor-patient relationship during the initial visit. The Health Belief Model offers a fruitful approach to understanding patients' compliance with alcoholism treatment and indicates possible areas for intervention to improve adherence.