The long-term outcome of broad-spectrum behavioral treatment for alcoholism and the relative effects of training controlled drinking skills were examined in a 5-6-year follow-up of the subjects studied in Foy, Nunn, & Rychtarik (1984). Data were collected from subjects and collaterals through structured interviews conducted by individuals blind to initial group treatment assignment. Systematic review was made of death certificates, driving records, and alcohol-related hospitalizations. Results showed no significant difference between groups on any dependent measure at the 5-6 year follow-up point. The stability of drinking patterns is analyzed, and predictors of outcome at 5-6 years are presented.

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Arterial blood gas (ABG) measurements at both maximum depth and at re-surfacing prior to breathing have not previously been measured during freedives conducted to extreme depth in cold open-water conditions. An elite freediver was instrumented with a left radial arterial cannula connected to two sampling syringes through a low-volume splitting device. He performed two open-water dives to 60 metres depth (197', 7 atmospheres absolute pressure) in the constant weight with fins competition format. ABG samples were drawn at 60 metres (by a mixed-gas scuba diver), and again on re-surfacing before breathing. An immersed surface static apnea, of identical length to the dives and with ABG sampling at identical times, was also performed. Both dives lasted approximately two minutes. PaO2 increased during descent from an indicative baseline of 15.8 kPa (after hyperventilation and glossopharyngeal insufflation) to 42.8 and 33.3 kPa (dives one and two), and decreased precipitously (to 8.2 and 8.6 kPa) during ascent. PaCO2 also increased from a low indicative baseline of 2.8 kPa to 6.3 and 5.1 kPa on dives one and two; an increase not explained by metabolic production of CO2 alone since PaCO2 actually decreased during ascent (to 5.2 and 4.5 kPa). Surface static apnea caused a steady decrease in PaO2 and increase in PaCO2 without the inflections provoked by depth changes. Lung compression and expansion provoke significant changes in both PaO2 and PaCO2 during rapid descent and ascent on a deep freedive. These changes generally support predictive hypotheses and previous findings in less extreme settings.

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