A follow-up study of problem drinkers offered a goal choice option

Patients (N = 100) who had been admitted to behaviorally oriented residential treatment for their drinking problems were followed up for 1 year. A treatment goal option of controlled drinking was explicitly catered for. Overall outcome, in which 27% of those available for follow-up were categorized as "successful," 35% as "equivocal" and 38% as "failure," does not appear to be markedly dissimilar to that reported from other agencies. The distribution of approximately equal abstinent and nonabstinent successful outcomes is similar to that found following treatment programs that promote a single goal. Sociodemographic variables were less influential in predicting outcome than were treatment variables--with frequency of aftercare attendance being particularly significant. Those who had received previous hospital treatment for their problem, those who habitually drank in company and those who had abnormal blood test results prior to entering treatment had poorer outcome.