Predictors of Continuous Alcohol Abstinence in a Portuguese Treatment Sample – A Retrospective Study

Authors

  • Diana Matos 1 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. 2 ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
  • Jorge Gonçalves Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
  • Pedro Morgado 1 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. 2 ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal 3 Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25752/psi.3785

Keywords:

Alcohol, Alcohol Dependence Syndrome, Total Alcohol Abstinence, Predictors of Abstinence

Abstract

Background:  Alcoholic  dependence  is  an addictive disorder with high levels of mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic approaches include medical,  psychological  and  social support.

Objectives:  Compare  a  population  of  alcoholics who have achieved one year of total abstinence from alcohol with individuals that relapse within the same period and identify  individual  and  treatment-related factors that can predict success.

Methods:  Multivariate  logistic  regression analysis  was  used  to identify  treatment  re-lated predictors of continuous abstinence in adults who meet ICD-10 criteria for alcoholic dependence during the first year of treatment in Alcoholic Center of Hospital de Braga.

Results:  590  patients  met  the  selection criteria.  Treatment  success rate  (total  ab-stinence)  was  32,3%.  Individual  charac-teristics  such as  gender,  age,  civil  state  or level  of  instruction  were  not  directly related  to  1st  year  outcomes.  Independent predictors  of  continuous abstinence  were no  prior  inpatient  treatment  (OR 0.549, 95%CI=0.322-0.936),  inpatient  treatment (OR 3.765, 95%CI=2.061-6.879) and abstinence at beginning of treatment (OR 4.947, 95%CI=2.223-11.008).

Conclusions:  The  results  show  that  using different approaches for the initial treatment of alcoholic dependence can result in higher periods  of total  abstinence.  These  findings may be useful to help physicians to improve alcoholic dependence treatment outcomes.

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Published

2014-06-01

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Original Articles

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