Predictors for Abstinence in Socially Stable Women Receiving Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

ABSTRACT

There is a knowledge gap about predictors of treatment outcomes in alcohol use disorder (AUD) in socially stable women. This study examined factors that may predict abstinence 12 months after the end of treatment for AUD in socially stable women. Fifty-seven women with AUD participated in 12-month follow-up. Information about sociodemographic, alcohol-related, psychiatric symptoms, psychological functioning, and participants’ treatment goals and ability to change alcohol habits were gathered from structured interviews and self-report instruments. Predictors for abstinence at the 12-month follow up were calculated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Significant predictors for abstinence were having no history of childhood abuse (OR: 8.13; 95%CI: 2.22–29.75; p < .01) and a goal of abstinence at the end of treatment (OR: 15.17; 95%CI: 3.45–66.69; p < .001). Most participants (>60%) achieved their goals of abstinence or low-risk drinking. The results highlight the significance of identifying patients with experiences of childhood abuse, since such experiences may adversely affect the outcome of AUD treatment. Our findings also emphasize the importance of patients’ own goals of abstinence, since it resulted in the most stable outcome. Treatment could, therefore, also focus on motivating individuals to aim for abstinence.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol use disorder
• treatment
• 12-months follow up
• childhood abuse
• goal of abstinence
• well-adjusted women

List of abbreviations

ASI: Addiction Severity Index; AUC: area under the ROC curve; AUD: alcohol use disorder; AUDIT: Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test; AVI-R-2: Alcohol Habits Inventory –Revised; 2CTQ-SF: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – short form; DSM-IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition; MINI: mini international neuropsychiatric interview; OQ-45.2: outcome questionnaire; OR: odds ratio; SD: standard deviation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.