OUTCOME IN ALCOHOLISM-TREATMENT

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.