The combined effects of treatment intensity, self-help groups and patient attributes on drinking outcomes

J Psychoactive Drugs. 2005 Mar;37(1):85-92. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2005.10399751.

Abstract

Better understanding of the diverse factors that predict alcoholism treatment outcomes is essential to improving treatment strategies. Patients accepted for treatment at a multimodality program were interviewed and followed-up at three months and one year after admission. The study tested a set of hypotheses relating to the effects on drinking outcomes of treatment modality, modality matching, treatment retention, aftercare, self-help group participation and patient attributes at admission. Drinking frequency diminished substantially between baseline and the two follow-ups. Outcomes for inpatient were better than for outpatient treatment in bivariate analysis, but outcomes for these modalities were equal after adjusting for the effect of patient-treatment mismatching. Aftercare treatment, time in treatment for outpatients, community 12-Step group participation, and several patient attributes such as motivation for change and psychiatric severity significantly predicted drinking outcomes at one or both follow-ups. Clinical implications of the results are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcoholism / psychology*
  • Alcoholism / therapy*
  • Ambulatory Care* / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Self-Help Groups*
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome