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Alcoholism treatment: a ten-year follow-up study
G M Cross1, C W Morgan, A J Mooney
1Residential Treatment Facility, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX 79920-5001.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|April 1, 1990
Summary
A decade after inpatient treatment, 61% of patients with alcoholism achieved stable remission. Successful outcomes were possible regardless of initial severity, with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) involvement predicting long-term abstinence.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Long-term outcomes for alcoholism treatment are crucial for understanding recovery trajectories.
- Assessing the sustained impact of inpatient rehabilitation requires extended follow-up studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term remission rates and psychosocial status of patients 10 years after inpatient alcoholism treatment.
- To identify factors predicting successful recovery from alcoholism.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 200 patients from an inpatient alcoholism treatment facility (1973-1974) was surveyed 10 years post-treatment.
- A response rate of 80% was achieved, with validity checks performed on the data.
- Remission was defined as complete or stable remission of alcoholism for at least 3 years prior to the survey.
Main Results:
- Of 158 valid responses, 61% reported stable remission, and 84% reported stable psychosocial status.
- Successful outcomes were observed irrespective of the initial severity of drinking history or psychosocial status.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) involvement was a significant predictor of abstinence, with 91% remission among those sponsoring other members.
Conclusions:
- Sustained remission from alcoholism is achievable long-term following inpatient treatment.
- Engagement with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) significantly enhances the likelihood of sustained abstinence and recovery.
- Treatment regimens that facilitate transition to AA support show promising long-term success rates.