Personality-guided treatment for alcohol dependence: a quasi-randomized experiment.
Personality disorders are highly prevalent among alcohol-dependent populations and result in a seriously elevated risk for non-responding to treatment; therefore, they represent a major challenge for professionals providing treatment for alcohol dependence. Personality-guided Treatment for Alcohol Dependence (PETAD), an approach that integrates cognitive therapy for addictive behaviors with strategic intervention for maladaptive personality features, may be helpful for patients with co-morbid alcohol dependence and personality disorders. Clients admitted for inpatient treatment for alcohol dependence at Ringgaarden, Denmark (n = 108) were allocated to either standard inpatient treatment with cognitive therapy for alcohol dependence, or PETAD. Both treatments were manualized. Clients were followed up by mail at six months post-treatment and administered the MCMI-I and II and the SCL-90 at intake, post-treatment, and at follow-up. PETAD was associated with better retention, longer time to first relapse, and less time spent drinking post-treatment, although few differences reached statistical significance. Differences in results were mainly found in the subgroup with higher levels of PD. The study suggests that PETAD is a promising approach that warrants further study.
Nielsen
Per
P
Centre for Treatment of Addictive Behaviors, Middelfart, Denmark.
Røjskjaer
Steffen
S
Hesse
Morten
M
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013997:Time Factors