Quality of life as an outcome variable in alcoholism treatment research

Although a number of approaches to measuring alcohol consumption are available, these alone do not reflect the full range of changes that may be associated with response to treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence. What constitutes a sufficient index of response to alcohol treatment? At the very least, research should measure negative consequences of alcohol consumption, although they may be difficult to specify beyond the client's own perception. Associations between alcohol consumption and dimensions of life quality may be negative or positive in value and may be broadly or narrowly conceptualized, depending upon the aims of the study. Although models exist for the conceptualization and measurement of many aspects of quality of life in alcoholism and other fields, much remains to be specified. Still to be accomplished is a careful examination of the interrelationships between alcohol consumption and specific dimensions of life quality, particularly as these interrelationships are affected by time since treatment and client characteristics among other potential mediators and moderators. Project MATCH has attempted a broad assessment of dimensions of life quality beyond alcohol consumption. These variables are viewed as secondary, rather than primary, measures of treatment outcome. The extent to which Project MATCH's strategy was effective is a question that will be answered when we examine the interrelationships among the various dimensions of outcome and the differential effects of treatments on these outcome dimensions.