The 10-year course of remission, abstinence, and recovery in dual diagnosis

This study examined the frequency, stability, predictors, and long-term outcomes of 6-month remissions of alcohol use disorders among 116 adults with co-occurring severe mental illnesses followed up prospectively for 10 years. Remission was defined as 6 months without meeting syndromal criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. Most participants (86%) experienced at least one 6-month remission, and these remissions were relatively durable. One third did not relapse during follow-up, and two thirds relapsed on average 3 years after remission. Six-month remissions were preceded by increased participation in substance abuse treatments, reductions in alcohol and drug use, decreases in psychiatric symptoms, increases in competitive employment, and increases in life satisfaction. Following remissions, participants improved in multiple domains of adjustment: reductions of psychiatric symptoms, decreases in alcohol and drug use, increases in work and social contacts with nonabusers, decreases in hospitalizations and incarcerations, increases in independent living, and increases in life satisfaction. Participants with alcohol dependence rather than alcohol abuse were less likely to attain 6-month remissions and more likely to relapse after attaining remissions.