Treatment of alcoholism in Kuwait: a prospective follow-up study

The outcome of routine drug-supportive psychotherapy treatment of 100 patients with alcohol-related problem in Kuwait's only psychiatric hospital was evaluated in four 6 month's intervals. Patients were assessed on 9 post-treatment questions reflecting improvement or deterioration. Correlation of follow-up changes to pre-treatment data shows that non-Kuwaitis do better than Kuwaitis in resuming employment and social reintegration. Patients on chronic benzodiazepine prescription were less likely to become abstinent, had poor social re-integration and more re-admissions. Good relationships with the family were clearly associated with a better treatment outcome. Scores of weighted follow-up findings were calculated to assess patients' status at each follow-up. Progress during the whole follow-up period was measured by the direction of slope calculated from linear regression model for individual scores. The relationship between pre-treatment conditions and patterns of follow-up was evaluated cross-sectionally (answers distribution) and longitudinally (direction of slope). A pattern of shift emerged where different patient groups crossed over to the opposite end of the score scale. Kuwait society's indulgent attitudes towards Kuwaiti patients with alcohol-related problems in employment have to be changed and utilization of the role of the Arab extended family in therapy is stressed.