Alcohol problems in psychiatric patients: 5-year course.
Little is known about the occurrence and course of alcohol problems in patients with affective syndromes treated in psychiatric facilities. We have shown previously that a high proportion of such patients abused alcohol. In a 5-year follow-up of patients in the initial study, a large majority had a remission of their alcohol problems lasting at least 6 months, although many of these patients had subsequent relapses. Using survival analyses, we found that alcohol dependence indicators, previous chronicity of alcohol problems, and a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder predicted poor outcome (specifically, longer time to remission of the alcohol problems). However, these factors were unrelated to receiving alcohol-specific treatment during the 5 years. Severity of social/occupational alcohol problems did not predict poor outcome, but did predict alcohol-specific treatment (detoxification, rehabilitation, Alcoholics Anonymous [AA], or Antabuse).
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, New York.
D S
DS
Hasin
J
J
Endicott
M B
MB
Keller
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012008:Recurrence; D012803:Sick Role