title: A two-year follow-up study of alcohol dependent men rehabilitated at a special unit in a developing country.
abstract: Two hundred and thirty-four alcohol dependent men who had all failed to improve after previous hospital-based interventions were admitted to an intensive 6-week residential rehabilitation programme conducted at a special unit in Sri Lanka. Outcome was assessed at 2 years post-treatment, and 36% of dependent persons remained totally abstinent. During an extended period of follow-up (mean 39.2 months) a significant association was found between abstinence and having a life partner, stable family support, a higher income and regular employment. However, there was no significant association between abstinence and age, duration of alcohol dependence, level of education or type of employment. Although the majority of alcohol dependent persons did not benefit from the programme, our results compare favourably with those of similar studies done in developed countries.
authors.affiliation: Sumithrayo Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: de Silva
authors.forename: M U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Peiris
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Samarasinghe
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Ellawala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D013188:Sri Lanka; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers