Alcohol treatment outcome methodology: State of the art 1989–1993

Breslin, F. Curtis; Sobell, S L; Sobell, Linda C.; Sobell, Mark B.

doi:10.1016/s0306-4603(95)00109-3

Cited by 25 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…More than three-quarters (78.6%) of the studies of individuals who recovered from alcohol problems reported some recoveries as involving low-risk drinking. This parallels ndings from alcohol treatment outcome studies (Rosenberg, 1993;Breslin et al, 1997) and suggests that the way the eld views recovery from alcohol problems is not consistent with the empirical literature and is in need of change. Although fewer studies of natural recoveries from drugs as opposed to alcohol problems have been reported, a similar pattern of ndings emerges with regard to recovery type.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Natural recovery from alcohol and drug problems: methodological review of the research with suggestions for future directions

Sobell¹,

Ellingstad²,

Sobell³

2000

Addiction

Self Cite

377

218

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Based on this review, future natural recovery studies should: (a) report respondents' demographic characteristics at the time of their recovery; (b) describe respondents' pre-recovery problem severity; (c) explore in some depth what factors, events or processes are associated with the self-change process; (d) provide corroboration of respondents' self-reports; (e) examine factors related to the maintenance of recoveries; (f) conduct interviews with individuals who have naturally recovered from cocaine, marijuana and polydrug abuse; (g) include a second interview at a later time to examine stability of natural recoveries; and (h) require a minimum 5-year recovery time frame.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Unlike state-of-the-art reviews of treatment studies in the addictions eld (Sobell & Sobell, 1989;Breslin et al, 1997), the present review was not limited to published studies because research in this area is very new and some reports have not yet been published (e.g. poster presentations, articles in press).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural recovery from alcohol and drug problems: methodological review of the research with suggestions for future directions

Sobell¹,

Ellingstad²,

Sobell³

2000

Addiction

Self Cite

377

218

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“…However, locating patients with a history of problem drinking is often noted to be a complex and demanding task. Despite increases in methodological rigour within outcome research (Breslin et al 1997), follow-up studies are often compromised by attrition of participants during follow-up and the consequent potential for bias in results (Edwards and Rollnick 1997). Follow-up rates vary greatly across substance misuse studies, ranging from 50% to nearly 100% (Hansten et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maximizing patient follow‐up after alcohol treatment: The effect of a three‐step reminding system on response rates

Bamford

Booth

McGuire

et al. 2004

Journal of Substance Use

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Background Longitudinal research has many strengths, but is often compromised by attrition of participants. This is a particular problem in studies with 'difficult-to-reach' populations. Recommended techniques for maximizing retention are often impractical for routine clinical services. Aims To examine whether methods that are available in routine practice can achieve satisfactory follow-up of a cohort of patients, 11 months after assessment for alcohol treatment. Methods Using a longitudinal cohort design, we tested the incremental effect of a simple three-step approach with 124 consecutive patients seeking treatment for alcohol problems: first an interview appointment, then postal questionnaires and, finally, a reminder by telephone or letter. Data on treatment compliance and self-reports of drinking behaviour during the 11-month follow-up period were obtained. Results Stage of contact was significantly associated with treatment compliance and treatment outcome. The final telephone reminder proved to be an important step in obtaining a sample that more accurately reflected both the treatment attendance and outcome of the original cohort. Conclusions Intensive resources, contact with multiple agencies and financial incentives were not necessary to achieve a contact rate of 75% and successful follow-up of 67%. Alcohol treatment outcome research is feasible within services with limited time and resources.

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“…Such an approach involves using strategies to minimize the consequences of drinking for the individual and society, while keeping the individual in contact with services and encouraging reconsideration of a long-term abstinence goal [Larimer et al, 1998]. However, just as clients in abstinence programs often have an improved outcome rather than complete abstinence [Finney and Moos, 1991;Breslin et al, 1997] in some cases the outcome of using a low risk drinking goal can be better described as harm reduction or improvement. That is, the person's drinking is substantially reduced but still above levels suggested to be low risk.…”

Section: Low Risk Drinking Goals As Part Of a Stepped Care Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Low Risk Drinking in the Treatment of Alcohol Problems: A Commentary

Sobell¹,

Sobell²

2004

Verhaltenstherapie

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The majority of individuals with alcohol-related problems, often referred to as problem drinkers, have problems that are not severe. Although brief outpatient interventions have been shown to be efficacious for problem drinkers, appropriate services are lacking because most existing treatments were developed for more severely dependent alcohol abusers. Problem drinkers view traditional treatments as overly intensive and as having an unnecessary requirement of abstinence. Furthermore, the confrontational nature of the treatment elicits resistance. An alternative service delivery model, stepped care, emphasizes identifying and offering relevant services to problem drinkers in primary health care settings. Providing relevant services for problem drinkers could have considerable public health benefits.

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Alcohol treatment outcome methodology: State of the art 1989–1993

Cited by 25 publications

References 70 publications

Natural recovery from alcohol and drug problems: methodological review of the research with suggestions for future directions

Natural recovery from alcohol and drug problems: methodological review of the research with suggestions for future directions

Maximizing patient follow‐up after alcohol treatment: The effect of a three‐step reminding system on response rates

The Role of Low Risk Drinking in the Treatment of Alcohol Problems: A Commentary

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