Factors related to recent alcohol abstinence among individuals who received previous treatment

Alcohol problems are widespread throughout the United States. While treatment can be successful, many individuals continue to drink. One method to assess treatment results over time is by investigating abstinence as a measure of success.

The main aim of this study is to investigate factors that may be associated with past-year (PY) abstinence among individuals who received prior-to-past-year (PPY) treatment for alcohol problems, while also assessing abstinence by treatment subtype.

This study uses data from 1742 individuals who received PPY treatment for alcohol problems in the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Logistic regression models were used to assess the strength of association between alcohol abstinence and key demographic and clinical factors.

The level of PY abstinence was 36.5% among those who previously sought treatment for alcohol problems. Younger age groups and those who were nicotine dependent or had a cannabis use disorder were less likely to be abstinent. There were no differences based on sex or PY major depression or generalized anxiety disorder.

While causal inferences cannot be made, these results suggest that the majority of people continue to drink, even after being treated for alcohol problems. Nonetheless, variation may exist depending on the form of treatment a person receives. More research is needed regarding long-term levels of abstinence after individuals receive treatment.