Alcoholism treatment: a ten-year follow-up study.
Two hundred male and female patients, selected at random from all patients admitted to an inpatient alcoholism treatment facility in 1973-1974, were surveyed 10 years following treatment. Response rate was 80%, and a validity check was done. Of the 158 unstable responses, 61% reported complete or stable remission of their alcoholism for at least 3 years prior to the survey and 84% reported stable psychosocial status. Successful outcome was possible regardless of severity of drinking history or psychosocial status. Seventy-six percent (76%) of those still alive at follow-up reported remission; at most, 23% of the deceased were reported in remission prior to death. Involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) predicted abstinence, suggesting successful outcome for patients who undergo a treatment regimen, which bridges patients into AA involvement. Of those respondents who continued to sponsor other AA members throughout the follow-up period, 91% were in remission at the time of survey.
Residential Treatment Facility, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX 79920-5001.
G M
GM
Cross
C W
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Morgan
A J
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Mooney
C A
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Martin
J A
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Rafter
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged