AIMS: Assertive approaches to treatment, which are becoming established for individuals with severe and enduring mental illness, may also be beneficial for engaging alcohol-dependent individuals without severe psychiatric co-morbidity, but so far there has been little research on this. This pilot study looked at the feasibility and potential benefits of introducing assertive community methods into the treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals with a history of poor engagement. METHODS: Non-randomized parallel cohort study comparing a Flexible Access Clinic employing assertive community treatment methods with the Usual Care Clinic. Participants were individuals re-referred to our service after they had previously disengaged from treatment. RESULTS:Patients receiving assertive treatment attended assessment a mean of 14 days earlier than those receiving treatment as usual. Treatment at the Flexible Access Clinic was associated with significantly higher rates of completing assisted alcohol withdrawal (35% versus 26%) and entering an aftercare placement (23% versus 14%). Aftercare was entered significantly earlier in the Flexible Access Clinic group (93 days versus 125 days). CONCLUSIONS: These promising results point to the feasibility and potential efficacy of assertive community treatment methods for alcohol dependence, and the need for a randomized controlled trial of effectiveness and cost effectiveness.
RCT Entities:
AIMS: Assertive approaches to treatment, which are becoming established for individuals with severe and enduring mental illness, may also be beneficial for engaging alcohol-dependent individuals without severe psychiatric co-morbidity, but so far there has been little research on this. This pilot study looked at the feasibility and potential benefits of introducing assertive community methods into the treatment of alcohol-dependent individuals with a history of poor engagement. METHODS: Non-randomized parallel cohort study comparing a Flexible Access Clinic employing assertive community treatment methods with the Usual Care Clinic. Participants were individuals re-referred to our service after they had previously disengaged from treatment. RESULTS:Patients receiving assertive treatment attended assessment a mean of 14 days earlier than those receiving treatment as usual. Treatment at the Flexible Access Clinic was associated with significantly higher rates of completing assisted alcohol withdrawal (35% versus 26%) and entering an aftercare placement (23% versus 14%). Aftercare was entered significantly earlier in the Flexible Access Clinic group (93 days versus 125 days). CONCLUSIONS: These promising results point to the feasibility and potential efficacy of assertive community treatment methods for alcohol dependence, and the need for a randomized controlled trial of effectiveness and cost effectiveness.
Authors: Helen Gilburt; Tom Burns; Alex Copello; Simon Coulton; Michael Crawford; Ed Day; Paolo Deluca; Christine Godfrey; Steve Parrott; Abigail K Rose; Julia M A Sinclair; Christine Wright; Colin Drummond Journal: Trials Date: 2012-02-20 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Colin Drummond; Helen Gilburt; Tom Burns; Alex Copello; Michael Crawford; Ed Day; Paolo Deluca; Christine Godfrey; Steve Parrott; Abigail Rose; Julia Sinclair; Simon Coulton Journal: Alcohol Alcohol Date: 2017-03-09 Impact factor: 2.826
Authors: R Blackwood; A Wolstenholme; A Kimergård; S Fincham-Campbell; Z Khadjesari; S Coulton; S Byford; P Deluca; S Jennings; E Currell; J Dunne; J O'Toole; J Winnington; E Finch; C Drummond Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2020-03-14 Impact factor: 3.295