Can Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder Achieve and Sustain Non-Abstinent Recovery? Non-Abstinent Outcomes 10 Years After Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment

Abstract

Objective: Four decades ago the “controlled drinking” controversy roiled the alcohol field. Data have subsequently accumulated indicating that non-abstinent alcohol use disorder (AUD) recovery is achievable, but questions remain whether it is sustainable long-term. This study examined whether non-abstinent recovery at three years following AUD treatment is associated with better functioning at 10 years following treatment. Methods: Data were from the 10-year follow-up of Project MATCH (New Mexico site only, n=146; 30.1% female, 58.6% non-White). Recovery was defined by latent profile analyses based on psychosocial functioning and alcohol consumption three years following treatment. Drinking practices and consequences, depression, purpose in life, and anger were assessed 10 years following treatment. Distal outcome analyses examined differences in drinking and functional outcomes at 10 years as a function of the 3-year latent profiles. Analyses were pre-registered at https://osf.io/3hbxr. Results: Four latent profiles identified at three years following treatment (i.e., poor functioning frequent heavy drinkers, poor functioning infrequent heavy drinkers, high functioning heavy drinkers, and high functioning infrequent non-heavy drinkers) were significantly associated with outcomes ten years following treatment. The two high functioning profiles at three years had the highest level of functioning at ten years post-treatment, regardless of alcohol consumption level. Abstinence at three years did not predict better functioning at ten years. Conclusions: Non-abstinent AUD recovery is possible and is sustainable for up to 10 years following treatment. The current findings align with recent proposals to move beyond relying on alcohol consumption as a central defining feature of AUD recovery.