Stability of remission from alcohol dependence without formal help.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the stability of remission from alcohol dependence without formal help.


METHODS
In a cohort of untreated remitters, a follow-up after 24 months was conducted. Participants were recruited through media solicitation and via a general population study. At baseline, all participants (n = 144) fulfilled criteria of remission from alcohol dependence for the previous 12 months without prior use of formal help (sustained full remission according to DSM-IV, neither inpatient nor outpatient treatment, no more than two self help group meetings). Personal interviews were conducted using standardized instruments.


RESULTS
In the follow-up period, four individuals died; 92.9% of the remaining participants were re-interviewed (n = 130). Of those interviewed 92.3% showed stable remission without formal help, 1.5% were currently alcohol dependent according to DSM-IV, 1.5% were classified alcohol dependent on grounds of collateral information, 1.5% fulfilled one or two criteria of dependence, and 4.6% utilized formal help.


CONCLUSIONS
Untreated remission is not a transient phenomenon. Therefore, studying remitters from alcohol dependence without formal help can yield valid information on pathways to recovery.
Rumpf
Hans-Jürgen
HJ
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany. h.rumpf@ukl.mu-luebeck.de
Bischof
Gallus
G
Hapke
Ulfert
U
Meyer
Christian
C
John
Ulrich
U
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011153:Population; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales