IS ATTENDANCE AT ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS AFTER INPATIENT TREATMENT RELATED TO IMPROVED OUTCOMES? A 6-MONTH FOLLOW-UP STUDY

• DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agg104
• Publication Date: 2003-08-14T23:03:54Z
• Authors: M. Gossop; J. Harris; D. Best; L.-H. Man; V. Manning; J. Marshall; J. Strang
• Keywords: Alcoholics Anonymous; Attendance; Alcohol Dependence; Longitudinal Study; Alcohol use disorder

Aims: This study investigates the relationship between attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings prior to, during, and after leaving treatment, changes in clinical outcome following inpatient alcohol treatment. Methods: A longitudinal design was used which participants were interviewed admission (within 5 days of entry), 6 months departure. The sample comprised 150 patients an treatment programme who met ICD-10 criteria for dependence. full to Six departure from 120 (80%) re-interviewed. Results: Significant improvements drinking behaviours (frequency, quantity reported problems), psychological problems quality life reported. Frequent AA attenders had superior outcomes non-AA infrequent attenders. Those attended on a weekly or more frequent basis greater reductions consumption abstinent days. sustained controlling potential confounding variables. related only improved outcomes. Despite outcomes, many psychiatric follow-up. Conclusions: importance aftercare has long been acknowledged. this, adequate services are often lacking. findings support role as useful resource.