Predictors Of Drinking Outcomes Among Alcoholics

Abstract

Predicting outcomes for individual patients entering substance abuse treatment has long been a clinical goal in the addictions field. Intake data from the Addiction Severity Index and other standardized scales were collected on 248 alcohol dependent/abusing patients entering an urban hospital treatment program. The outcome measure was frequency of drinking days in the past 30 days. Baseline data were used to identify predictors of posttreatment drinking frequency at two follow-up interviews (3 and 12 months postbaseline). Stepwise multiple regressions indicated that a set of baseline predictors accounted for similar and substantial proportions of outcome variance at the two follow-ups. When psychosocial predictors were combined with an index of alcohol use severity (which included drinking frequency), the proportions of variance explained were 31% and 28% at 3 and 12 months, respectively. Two psychosocial predictors were significant at both time periods, and thus most likely to be replicated in future research: a treatment motivation index (a combination of measures of commitment to treatment success and internal motivation to seek treatment) and an index of 12-step (selfhelp) participation (a combination of measures of frequency of 12-step meeting attendance and perceived helpfulness of 12-step participation). While the predictability of short-term (3 month) outcomes could help clinicians tailor treatment strategies to maximize patient motivation and reduce drinking behavior, the predictability of longer term (12 month) outcomes could help counselors plan aftercare programs, encourage selfhelp participation, and promote recovery-oriented activities to sustain initial treatment-induced gains.

Assessing self-determined motivation for addiction treatment: Validity of the Treatment Entry Questionnaire

“…In addiction treatment settings, where the use of social controls and coercive strategies is common, preliminary research has highlighted the relevance of self-determined motivation for positive treatment processes and outcomes (Ryan et al, 1995;Staines et al, 2003;Wild et al, 2006;Zeldman et al, 2004). This prior research used different measures of selfdetermined motivation with varying levels of validation in addiction treatment contexts.…”

Predictors of Relapse in 300 Brazilian Alcoholic Patients: A 6-Month Follow-Up Study

“…They also emphasized the idea that combined treatments can add up and the association can be more effective. Another study concluded that the index of 12-step participation was predictive of the outcome (Staines et al, 2003).…”

A Categorical Assessment of 12-Step Involvement in Relation to Recovery Resources

“…On the one hand, a number of studies have examined 12-step meeting attendance as an integral part of 12-step involvement (e.g., Humphreys et al, 1998;Mankowski, Humphreys, & Moos, 2001;McKellar et al, 2003;Moos & Moos, 2007;Morgenstern, Labouvie, McCrady, Kahler, & Frey, 1997;Staines et al, 2003;Tonigan et al, 1998;Zenmore, Kaskutas, & Ammon, 2004). On the other hand, fewer investigations have examined involvement apart from 12-step meeting attendance.…”