EVALUATING MULTIPLE OUTCOMES AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ALCOHOLISM-TREATMENT

This study followed 592 alcoholics (180 women and 412 men) after disch arge from inpatient treatment. Multiple measures of treatment outcome were used to broaden our understanding of the process of recovery from alcohol abuse, and how that process differs for men and women. Patien ts were interviewed by telephone between 3 and 15 months after dischar ge to gather information about post-treatment experiences including: r elationship with family, role performance, psychological impairment, a nd effort toward recovery. Additionally, if any alcohol use took place after treatment, information was collected about the pattern of alcoh ol consumption. Results indicated being married is consistently relate d to less drinking for men, while for women, being married contributes to relapse in the short term. The determinants of each measure of out come were different for women and men, indicating that the process of recovery is not the same for both genders. The study confirms that dri nking is related to other adverse outcomes for men, but not necessaril y for women. It is evidence that women and men have different post-tre atment functioning, and that different characteristics are predictive of these outcomes.