Alcoholism Treatment: Intake Variables as Outcome Predictors

Abstract

The relationship between “background” variables (demographic, drinking and motivational) and outcome categorisation 12 months after treatment for problem drinking was assessed using multivariate statistical techniques. Patients classified as abstinent or problem-free drinkers after treatment had longer drink-free periods prior to treatment, drank in fewer situations and locations, and were more likely to have a goal of abstinence.

These findings are discussed in terms of the relapse prevention literature with the conclusion that in similar samples static or demographic variables alone are of limited use as predictors of outcome.