Evaluation of effectiveness of aftercare in alcoholism treatment

Providing aftercare to alcoholic patients upon discharge is seen as an important factor in recovery. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether providing contractual aftercare would increase the aftercare attendance and influence their drinking. The subjects were 55 patients who underwent inpatient treatment over a one year period. They either signed a contract to attend a specified number of meetings and upon failure to do so were actively followed up (contract group, n = 28) or did not sign a contract but were only verbally encouraged to attend the meetings (control group, n = 27). Six months after discharge, patients in both groups were followed up and data obtained on drinking and social stability measured. A multiple regression analysis showed that although the use of a contract was effective in increasing patients' return rate to the unit, attendance of aftercare meetings was not a significant predictor of drinking. The significant predictor was the employment situation. Patients' perceptions of aftercare provided was evaluated and the necessity for providing aftercare based on patients' needs was seen as important.