An application of the multidimensional model of alcoholism to program effectiveness. Rehabilitation status and outcome

Overall functioning and criteria of progress in rehabilitation of alcohol abusers: longitudinal analyses of changes

The aim was to compare alcohol consumption and vocational adjustment as criteria of rehabilitation progress of alcoholics, with regard to links to concomitant changes in functioning in other life areas. Thirty-four advanced alcohol abusers in rehabilitation were examined twice with an interval of 2 years between each examination. Change scores in alcohol consumption and work capacity were correlated with change scores in social network, activities, life-satisfaction, psychological well-being, psychiatric symptoms, and biomedical functioning. Improved drinking habits were connected with some changes in overall functioning, however not solely in a favorable direction. Negative mood changes were especially noteworthy. Improvements in vocational adjustment, on the other hand, appeared to be somewhat more unequivocally and encompassingly associated with amelioration in the wider range of functioning. The results indicate that drinking measures alone are not sufficient indicators of progress in rehabilitation and underscores the need of more global criteria of general adjustment.

Empirically derived classifications of alcohol-related problems

In recent years a number of investigators have utilized empirical techniques to develop classification schemes for alcohol related problems. This chapter examines this literature, reviewing both dimensional and categorical models that have been proposed. Despite much consistency in the methodologies that have been used, relatively few consistent substantive findings have emerged from these studies. However, increasing sophistication in the use of these empirical techniques over the past decade has produced some interesting results. One such study which yielded a hybrid model for alcoholism incorporating advantages of both categorical and dimensional approaches, is discussed in some detail. Finally, promising directions for future research are outlined with references to the implications of such taxonomy for alcoholism treatment and course.

Posttreatment drinking behavior among inpatients from an industrial alcoholism program

Findings from a follow-up study of inpatients from an industrial alcoholism program are presented. At 3-month follow-up, 46% were abstinent and 22% drinking moderately; at 9 months, 37% were abstinent and 20% drinking moderately. Moderate drinkers at 3 months had a high relapse rate by 9 months. In comparing moderate drinkers at 9 months to abstainers and to those drinking destructively, it was found that moderate drinkers were more similar to abstainers than to destructive drinkers on most variables. Relationships between drinking outcomes and several sets of predictor variables are presented and discussed. From these data it is evident that social support (being married, family involved in treatment, AA and/or religious involvement) is crucial in recovery from alcoholism, that employer's involvement had a positive influence, that coercion for treatment did not have a negative impact, that prior job problems had a delayed negative impact, and that treatment outcome for earlier-phase alcoholics was relatively poor in comparison to "chronic" cases in this program.

A canonical correlation analysis of the Alcohol-Use Inventory and the Human Service Scale

The responses of 312 persons with alcoholism to the Alcohol-Use Inventory and Human Service Scale were subjected to canonical correlation analysis. Results indicate that the relationship between alcohol-use constructs and psychological need satisfaction can be explained by two axes: a personal security--social dimension and a personal stress--environmental dimension. Microanalysis of the variates indicated that emotional need satisfaction was differentially influenced by social and physiological variables.