Outcome of Camp Approach in Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Non-randomized Controlled Study

Studies examining the outcome of the camp approach in the treatment of alcohol dependence are limited in India.

The aim of the study was to compare the outcomes of the community-based camp (CBC) approach and the hospital-based camp (HBC) approach in the treatment of persons with alcohol dependence.

The study used a non-randomized controlled study design (quasi-experimental research design before and after with a control group). In total, 60 respondents were selected through the census method (30 in the study group and 30 in the control group). Thirty respondents from the CBC formed the experimental group, and another 30 from the HBC formed the control group. The CBC was held for 7 days, and the HBC was held for 10 days. The tools used are the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the World Health Organization quality of life (QoL)-BREF.

Independent t-test and effect size analysis were used. Kasturba Hospital Institute Ethics Committee, Manipal, had given the ethical clearance.

The majority (73%) of the respondents in the CBC and 57% of the HBC participants maintained complete abstinence during the post-test. The relapse rate was lower in the CBC (27%) than in the HBC (43%). CBC is effective at increasing the number of follow-ups and decreasing alcohol intake during relapse. The effect of the camp intervention on increasing the number of follow-ups was medium (d = 0.36). The CBC had a small effect on enhancing the QoL of treated individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome during the post-test (d = 0.27).

The CBC approach is more effective than the hospital one at increasing follow-up and QoL and reducing the relapse rate.