title: [Disulfiram in outpatient treatment of alcohol dependency].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The alcohol deterrent drug disulfiram plays a minor role in the treatment of alcohol dependency in Germany. The study looks at the efficacy, tolerability and feasibility of a disulfiram outpatient treatment program in a German psychiatric hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 190 outpatients with alcohol dependency, who had participated in a disulfiram therapy program at the psychiatric outpatient department over a period of 10 years, were analyzed with respect to efficacy and tolerability. To test for predictors, independent variables and treatment success as a dependent variable a logistic regression was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1 year 24.2 % of the patients maintained alcohol abstinence while 55 % had had an alcohol relapse despite being in the disulfiram program. No severe complications were observed under disulfiram treatment. Therapy success was largely related to participating in treatment-specific group therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disulfiram proved to be a well-tolerated medication as part of multimodal therapy of alcohol dependency. The disulfiram program was easily integrated into other health service treatment. Approximately one quarter of patients who had had an unfavorable course before, achieved abstinence, while participation in group therapy was a major predictor of treatment success. Disulfiram is a medication, which in the context of a psychosocial treatment concept, should receive a wider distribution in Germany.
authors.affiliation: Bezirkskrankenhaus Kempten, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus, Universität Ulm, Robert-Weixler-Str. 46, 87439, Kempten, Deutschland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hochsattel
authors.affiliation: Bezirkskrankenhaus Kempten, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus, Universität Ulm, Robert-Weixler-Str. 46, 87439, Kempten, Deutschland. peter.brieger@extern.uni-ulm.de.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brieger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D004221:Disulfiram
keywords: Alcohol deterrent; Alcoholism; Community mental health services; Disulfiram; Effectiveness