Predictors of successful vs. unsuccessful outcome of a 12-step inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program

Comparison of successful vs. unsuccessful outcome at 1-year follow-up for 101 patients treated in a VAMC inpatient alcohol rehabilitation unit, which used a combined 12-step facilitation/relapse prevention treatment model, revealed remarkably few predictors of outcome. However, one variable (self-reported absence of a mainstream Christian religious preference) strongly predicted poor outcome, whereas absence of a family history of alcoholism or a positive history of combat experience predicted a successful outcome. These results are among the first to examine the characteristics of patients who do well or poorly in this type of program and may, if replicated, begin to provide a basis on which to develop clinical algorithms for patient-treatment matching.