Out-patient behaviour therapy in alcoholism: treatment outcome after 2 years

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study was the evaluation of out-patient behavioural approaches in alcohol dependence. Additionally, the persistence of treatment effects and the impact of psychiatric comorbidity in long-term follow-up was examined. METHOD: A total of 120 patients were randomly assigned to non-specific supportive therapy or to two different behavioural therapy programmes (coping skills training and cognitive therapy) each comprising 26 weekly sessions; the follow-up period lasted 2 years. RESULTS: Patients undergoing behavioural therapy showed a consistent trend towards higher abstinence rates; significant differences between the two behavioural strategies could not be established. Moreover, the results indicate a reduced ability of cognitive impaired patients to cope with short-time abstinence violations and at a reduced benefit from behavioural techniques for patients with severe personality disorders. CONCLUSION: Behavioural treatment yielded long-lasting effects and met high acceptance; yet, still in need of improvement is the development of specific programmes for high-risk patients.