title: Ascertaining the relationships between the trajectories of specific categories of alcohol-related negative consequences and subsequent drinking behavior.
abstract: The first year following alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment has been identified as a period of high risk for relapse and an important timeframe for enquiry regarding alcohol-related behavior change and its maintenance. In addition, at least among individuals with AUD, alcohol use and negative consequences have been shown to be reciprocally related. A commonly used measure of alcohol-related negative consequences is the Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC). Investigations of specific categories of alcohol-related negative consequences and their trajectories, however, have been lacking. Given this background, the purpose of this study was to: follow the course of the 5 DrInC categories of alcohol-related negative consequences over the first year post-AUD treatment initiation; investigate whether these trajectories varied by gender, age, and/or treatment condition; examine the relationships between these trajectories and subsequent drinking behavior; and investigate whether these relationships varied by gender, age, and/or treatment condition, via secondary data analyses. Data from the outpatient arm of Project MATCH (n = 952) were utilized. Study results revealed that the trajectory of each DrInC category was indicative of improved alcohol-related problems across the first year posttreatment initiation. Specific DrInC categories varied as a function of gender, age, and treatment condition, and the trajectories were predictive of subsequent drinking behavior. Specifically, higher intercepts during the treatment period were associated with poorer drinking behavior 1 year later. Alternatively, steeper negative slopes were associated with improved drinking behavior. Some of these relationships were modified by gender, age, and treatment condition. It was concluded that assessing alcohol-related negative consequences during the first year posttreatment initiation period has clinical utility. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science.
authors.forename: Patrick R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Clifford
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D016896:Treatment Outcome