The general effect of alcoholism treatment compared to the spontaneous
remission rate is approved by many studies and outcome reviews. Accor
ding to a meta-analytic review the abstinence rate of alcoholism treat
ment in Germany seems to be higher than in other countries, presumably
because of the much longer treatment length. In the present phase of
outcome research, issues of differential effects depending on patient
and treatment variables are most important. If studies of Germany were
included, treatment length is positively correlated with the outcome
of alcoholism treatment. The relationship between severity of addictio
n and the intensity of treatment is a central hypothesis in research.
Different criteria and definitions of severity were described and empi
rical results reported. Finally, issues of indication for different tr
eatment are discussed.