Alcohol use post AUD treatment initiation as a predictor of later functioning.
OBJECTIVE
To replicate and extend the earlier work of Maisto and colleagues showing an association between early post-treatment alcohol use and later functioning (1, 2, 3).


METHODS
The present study classified adults presenting for alcohol use disorders (AUD) treatment (n = 114) into one of three drinker groups (i.e., abstainer, moderate drinker, or heavy drinker) based upon alcohol use during the first 6-months following outpatient AUD treatment initiation, and examined the associations between drinker group classification and later alcohol use and psychosocial functioning.


RESULTS
Study results showed that individuals classified within the heavy drinker group tended to have the poorest outcomes (i.e., greater alcohol use and poorer psychosocial functioning) relative to individuals classified within the abstainer or moderate drinker groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Study findings are consistent with the prior work of Maisto and colleagues. In addition, it appears that alcohol use, particularly heavy alcohol consumption, during the early post-treatment initiation period may serve as a marker for later alcohol related problems and poorer overall psychosocial functioning.
Udo
Tomoko
T
School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
Clifford
Patrick R
PR
Davis
Christine M
CM
Maisto
Stephen A
SA
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012919:Social Behavior; D013695:Temperance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome