Effect of holistic relapse prevention intervention among individuals with alcohol dependence: a prospective study at a mental health care setting in India

Abstract

Present study examined effectiveness of Integrative Body Mind Spirit (I-BMS) intervention among individuals with alcohol dependence. A 2-group single blind RCT design was used, comparing I-BMS to treatment as usual (TAU) on drinking and psychological outcomes. One hundred participants diagnosed with alcohol dependent syndrome were randomly assigned to receive 7 sessions of I-BMS or TAU. Measurements done by a registered nurse who was blinded to the experimental design used standardized questionnaire on wellbeing, readiness to change, craving, quantity and frequency of drinking before and up to 6 months after the intervention. With respect to the within group effects, the I-BMS group demonstrated significant improvement in all outcome measures with large effect size. Compared to TAU, I-BMS participants showed lesser relapse rates and quantity of drinking at 3-month follow-up, reduction in craving and drinking days at 2-month follow-up. At 6 months follow-up, participants in I-BMS group reported significant improvement in wellbeing and motivation compared to TAU. Results of binary logistic regression showed that number of previous attempts and living in urban area positively predicted participant’s relapse possibility at 6-month follow-up. Results suggest that I-BMS is worthy of further efficacy testing. In conclusion, it is feasible to implement I-BMS intervention for individuals with alcohol dependence.

Keywords:

• Alcohol dependence
• holistic intervention
• craving
• wellbeing
• motivation

Acknowledgments

We thank the patients who participated in the study and the de-addiction ward team members for their support.

Disclosure statement

The author has no conflicting interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This study is funded by the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong for the research grant awarded to Sreevani Rentala.