Alcohol problems in psychiatric patients: 5-year course.

Full Abstract

Little is known about the occurrence and course of alcohol problems in patients with affective syndromes treated in psychiatric facilities. We have shown previously that a high proportion of such patients abused alcohol. In a 5-year follow-up of patients in the initial study, a large majority had a remission of their alcohol problems lasting at least 6 months, although many of these patients had subsequent relapses. Using survival analyses, we found that alcohol dependence indicators, previous chronicity of alcohol problems, and a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder predicted poor outcome (specifically, longer time to remission of the alcohol problems). However, these factors were unrelated to receiving alcohol-specific treatment during the 5 years. Severity of social/occupational alcohol problems did not predict poor outcome, but did predict alcohol-specific treatment (detoxification, rehabilitation, Alcoholics Anonymous [AA], or Antabuse).

Author information

Author/s: Hasin, D S (DS); Endicott, J (J); Keller, M B (MB);

Affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, New York.

Grants: 5 T32 MH13043-13 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH 30906-07 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Comprehensive psychiatry (Compr Psychiatry), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: -1991 Jul-Aug; vol 32 (issue 4) : pp 303-16

Dates: Created 1991/12/26; Completed 1991/12/26; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 1935019, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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