ACCRUAL FOR SELF-INSURED GENERAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Self-insured liabilities [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of year	$ 2,057	$ 2,097
Cash payments	(1,495)	(592)
Provisions	1,638	552
Balances at end of year	2,200	2,057
Current portion	500	500
Long-term portion	$ 1,700	$ 1,557

Amount of cash payments related to general and professional liability claims.

No definition available.

Name:	alc_CashPaymentsSelf-InsuredGeneralAndProfessionalLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	alc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Provisions for self-insured general and professional liabilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	alc_ProvisionsForSelf-InsuredLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	alc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	alc_SelfInsuredLiabilitiesRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	alc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions) of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property that are expected to be paid within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property that are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant