Abstract
Three hundred and twenty-nine alcohol dependent patients, diagnosed according to DSM. III-R criteria who had participated in one of five different psychotherapy groups over a 5-year period, were studied using survival analysis statistics. Patients were followed-up until their discharge or withdrawal from the group to determine their retention in therapy, and to examine the effect of gender, age and family situation on compliance. Retention rates at 6, 12 and 24 months were 61%, 49% and 37%, respectively. Median retention time was 46 weeks. Women remained longer in treatment than men (median period 98 vs. 34 weeks), and this was due mainly to lower dropout rates in the first 3 months. Dropout rates were also higher in patients aged 35 years or younger. The first 3 months seem to be crucial in the process of deciding whether or not to remain in therapy.