The relationship between mortality and intensity of inpatient alcoholism treatment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. Previous studies have examined mortality in alcoholics receiving extended inpatient alcoholism treatment, but few have investigated less intense treatment. This study examined mortality within 3 years after discharge from varying intensities of inpatient alcoholism treatment. METHODS. Using the computerized database of the Department of Veterans Affairs, we identified men participating in varying intensities of inpatient alcoholism treatment and followed them for 3 years after discharge. Adjusted mortality rates were computed and survival analysis was performed to assess the risk of death, adjusting for factors that may be related to mortality. RESULTS. The death rate was lower for men who completed extended formal inpatient treatment than for those who began, but did not complete, inpatient treatment or those who underwent short detoxification. Differences among the treatment groups remained after age, race, marital status, and disease severity were controlled. CONCLUSIONS. These results suggest that extended formal inpatient alcoholism treatment is associated with a lower risk of death than less intense forms of inpatient treatment.

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“…Patients who complete residential treatment benefit from decreased substance use, fewer legal problems or risky behaviors [3-6], lowered mortality [7], more employment [3,5], and reduced suicide rates [8]. Some of the known factors associated with residential substance use treatment completion are summarized below.…”

Cirrhosis mortality in Ontario: effects of alcohol consumption and Alcoholics Anonymous participation

“…2003), and possibly with a reduction in mortality rates (Kristenson et al . 1983; Bunn et al . 1994; Mann et al .…”

Alcohol Consumption, Alcohol Dependence, and All‐Cause Mortality

“…Far less is known about alcohol dependence as a risk factor for all-cause mortality, despite many studies that have examined mortality patterns and risk factors among alcoholics (e.g., Bunn et al, 1994;Callahan and Tierney, 1995;Hampl and Hajin, 1992;Langle et al, 1993;Lewis et al, 1995;Spinatsch, 1992;Wells and Walker, 1990) and the proportion of deaths attributable to alcohol use disorders (e.g., Romelsjo et al, 1993). Most of the prospective studies that have compared mortality rates among alcoholics and nonalcoholics have been based on medical samples.…”