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Abstract
Background: NICE guidelines advise against rushed detoxifications for clients dependent on alcohol, and emphasise the importance of planned detoxifications with aftercare plans to be in place. Unfortunately, around only 60% of detoxified clients will attend aftercare interventions. There is also increasing evidence supporting the negative effects of repeated detoxifications (medically assisted or not) on the brain and on the long-term prognosis. Therefore, it is crucial to maximise the long-lasting effect of any alcohol detoxification.
Methods: Data for all clients with alcohol dependence entering treatment during a six months period (July to December 2013) was analysed. The initial cohort was followed up at 1 month, 3 and 6 months following cessation of drinking.
Results: Fifty-nine clients entered the structured programme. From those clients, 46 (77%) finished the Abstinence Preparation Group (APG). Thirty-nine clients achieved abstinence from alcohol and 32 entered aftercare interventions. Twenty-six (44%) were completely abstinent at 1 month, 22 (38%) at 3 months and 23 (39%) at 6 months. Eighteen clients achieved guided self-detox and had better outcomes that the rest of the cohort.
Conclusion: In line with the previous evaluation, it seems that a structured approach towards abstinence with emphasis on preparation before medically assisted withdrawal improves engagement and has good abstinence outcomes at 3 months and 6 months post-detoxification.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.