Alcoholism treatment: a ten-year follow-up study

Two hundred male and female patients, selected at random from all patients admitted to an inpatient alcoholism treatment facility in 1973-1974, were surveyed 10 years following treatment. Response rate was 80%, and a validity check was done. Of the 158 unstable responses, 61% reported complete or stable remission of their alcoholism for at least 3 years prior to the survey and 84% reported stable psychosocial status. Successful outcome was possible regardless of severity of drinking history or psychosocial status. Seventy-six percent (76%) of those still alive at follow-up reported remission; at most, 23% of the deceased were reported in remission prior to death. Involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) predicted abstinence, suggesting successful outcome for patients who undergo a treatment regimen, which bridges patients into AA involvement. Of those respondents who continued to sponsor other AA members throughout the follow-up period, 91% were in remission at the time of survey.