A study of treatment outcomes in alcoholism treatment

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate differences between male alcoholics who obtained a satisfactory discharge from therapy and were not arrested within sex months following release and those who did not obtain a satisfactory discharge and were subsequently arrested in order to determine if the differences might be predictive of successful treatment completion. Subjects were selected from an existing data base developed for clients admitted to the Mahoning County Committee on Alcoholism Program, Inc., Residential Intermediate Supportive Care Facility between May of 1979 and July, 1980. Data were available for a total of 200 adult male alcoholics who could be classified for treatment outcome. Successfully treated people were defined as those individuals who obtained an acceptable professional discharge from therapy and were not arrested within six months following release. IT was hypothesized that differences would be observed between those who obtained a satisfactory discharge and those who did not. Discriminant Function analysis were used to evaluate the contributions to predictive relationships from demographic variables, measures of intellectual functioning (WAIS), and personality test scores (MMPI). The results lead to the conclusion that high scores on generalized measures of intelligence are one of the better predictors of treatment outcome. The findings relative to age lead to the suggestion that people who experience success in treatment have had less exposure to a long history of alcohol consumption. With regard to particular characteristic of individuals selected for treatment, high scores on the Psychopathic Deviancy scale and low scores on the Masculinity/Femininity scale of the MMPI are indicative of failure in treatment. However, when a stereotypically masculine orientation is not present and rebelliousness is accompanied by a willingness to admit one's problem in a mature fashion, then independence in thought and action are predictive of success in treatment. The small sample size used in this study allows only tentative conclusions. Further research with approximately 100 subjects per group would be needed before practical utilization on an individual basis could be recommended.