Abstract
Treatment outcome studies of alcoholism have historically had innumerable difficulties and controversy. Few investigators ever have reported a replication of their initial study results, let alone the crossvalidation of such initial results. This article provides results of a four-year replication study of a medical behavioral treatment approach. Comparisons of patients receiving a uniform treatment were made at yearly intervals. A few variables are identified to clarify who will or will not achieve and maintain follow-up sobriety, although it is admitted that our knowledge in this area is still rudimentary. These results affirm for the practitioner today that the alcoholic patient is treatable with a high probability of success. When the outcome of treatment is positive, the diagnosis and referral become crucial for alcoholism just as for other treatable diseases.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 960-963 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the American Medical Association |
Volume | 248 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1982 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine