Three alcohol treatments did not differ much in drinking over a year

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   1,726 adults, nearly all dependent on alcohol, took part at nine US research sites. 952 came as outpatients (72% men) and 774 had just left inpatient or day-hospital care (80% men).

2. 02

   What they did

   Each person had 12 weeks of one of three treatments: coping-skills therapy, motivational talks, or 12-step facilitation. Drinking was then tracked for a year.

3. 03

   What happened

   All three groups drank less, and the three treatments did about equally well. Among outpatients, about 24 in 100 avoided any drinking with 12-step facilitation, against 15 and 14 in 100 with the others. Coping-skills outpatients drank on slightly more days over time, a small difference.

What the study found

1. No difference

   In the year after treatment, drinking days and drinks per drinking day improved about equally for all three.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested

   Large randomised trial of 1,726 adults with alcohol dependence · vs the other two treatments · they rated themselves

2. Helped

   More outpatients on 12-step facilitation avoided any drinking for a year.

   • Rule: Practise with a grouptested

   Large randomised trial of 1,726 adults with alcohol dependence · vs people given coping-skills therapy or motivational talks · they rated themselves

Source