Drop-out from out-patient treatment for alcohol dependence: a two-year prospective study

Abstract

Introduction. Treatment compliance in alcoholdependent patients seems closely related to abstinence rates, so it could be an outcome measure.The aim of our study was to identify which sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of alcohol-dependent patients are associated to high drop-out rates.

Method. 165 alcohol-dependent out-patients were assessed by means of a structured questionnaire and followed for two years.

Results. It was shown a predictive value for personal history of suicidal intents or affective and anxiety disorders, comorbidity with affective and personality disorders, family history of affective disorders and psychiatric and somatic complications of dependence, and past or present abstinence.

Discussion. Implications of these findings and inconsistencies between previous studies and these results are discussed.