Pilot study of assertive community treatment methods to engage alcohol-dependent individuals

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.

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.

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).

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.