Kristina J Berglund1, Kerstin K Rauwolf2, Ulf Berggren3, Jan Balldin3, Claudia Fahlke1. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. 2. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany. 3. Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry of the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract
AIMS: To evaluate the long-term treatment outcome (up to 5 years) with respect to different drinking goals of patients. METHODS: Alcohol-dependent individuals (n = 349) were recruited from three alcohol treatment units. They were interviewed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). They were sub-grouped according to their goal at treatment entry: abstinence, low- risk drinking and no decided goal. RESULTS: Patients with abstinence as a goal at treatment entry reported at 2.5 years follow-up a higher abstinence rate, a more pronounced reduction in alcohol consumption, reduction in total number of DSM-IV criteria, higher frequency of low-risk drinking and fewer diagnoses of alcohol dependence compared to the groups who had low risk drinking as a goal or no decided goal. This improvement remained basically unchanged in all three groups at 5 years follow-up, suggesting long-term stability after the treatment interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that: (1) alcohol-dependent patients who have abstinence as their own drinking goal have a more favorable treatment outcome than those who have low-risk drinking as a goal or no decided goal. (2) Abstinence as a drinking goal should be considered for those who have a longer duration (for example more than 10 years) of their alcohol-related problems. (3) Patients who have no decided goal should be recommended abstinence as a drinking goal.
AIMS: To evaluate the long-term treatment outcome (up to 5 years) with respect to different drinking goals of patients. METHODS:Alcohol-dependent individuals (n = 349) were recruited from three alcohol treatment units. They were interviewed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). They were sub-grouped according to their goal at treatment entry: abstinence, low- risk drinking and no decided goal. RESULTS:Patients with abstinence as a goal at treatment entry reported at 2.5 years follow-up a higher abstinence rate, a more pronounced reduction in alcohol consumption, reduction in total number of DSM-IV criteria, higher frequency of low-risk drinking and fewer diagnoses of alcohol dependence compared to the groups who had low risk drinking as a goal or no decided goal. This improvement remained basically unchanged in all three groups at 5 years follow-up, suggesting long-term stability after the treatment interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that: (1) alcohol-dependent patients who have abstinence as their own drinking goal have a more favorable treatment outcome than those who have low-risk drinking as a goal or no decided goal. (2) Abstinence as a drinking goal should be considered for those who have a longer duration (for example more than 10 years) of their alcohol-related problems. (3) Patients who have no decided goal should be recommended abstinence as a drinking goal.
Authors: Katie Witkiewitz; Nick Heather; Daniel E Falk; Raye Z Litten; Deborah S Hasin; Henry R Kranzler; Karl F Mann; Stephanie S O'Malley; Raymond F Anton Journal: Addiction Date: 2020-03-10 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: Katie Witkiewitz; Henry R Kranzler; Kevin A Hallgren; Deborah S Hasin; Arnie P Aldridge; Gary A Zarkin; Karl F Mann; Stephanie S O'Malley; Raymond F Anton Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2020-11-12 Impact factor: 5.128