Long-term treatment careers and outcomes of previously untreated alcoholics

Objective: The aim of this project was to describe treatment selection and outcomes over an 8-year follow-up period for 466 individuals who had drinki ng problems and had not yet received formal treatment at baseline. Method: By the 8-year follow-up, individuals had self-selected into one of four gro ups: no-treatment (n = 78); completed treatment (help was received only in Years 1-3 of follow-up; n = 230); additional treatment (help was received i n Years 1-3, with more help in Years 4-8; n = 134); and delayed treatment ( no help was received until Years 4-8 of follow-up; n = 24). Results: Compar ed with individuals who remained untreated, the completed treatment group h ad more severe drinking problems and depression at baseline, but better dri nking outcomes at both the 3- and 8-year fellow-ups. At 3 years, the additi onal treatment group perceived their drinking problem as being more serious than did the untreated group and was more likely to have drinking-related problems; by 8 years, individuals who had obtained additional treatment wer e more likely to be abstinent, but still perceived their drinking problems as being more serious. Compared to individuals who completed treatment in Y ears 1-3, additional treatment group members had more severe drinking and f unctioning problems at 3 and 8 years. More involvement with formal outpatie nt treatment or AA was associated with more improvement on drinking indices . Conclusions: Persons with alcohol use disorders who elect to enter formal treatment or AA relatively soon after acknowledging their drinking problem s experience better drinking-related outcomes than do those who receive no help or who delay receiving help. Accordingly, referral processes should en sure that problem drinkers enter self help or formal treatment quickly.