Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Is Controlled Drinking an Acceptable Goal in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence? A Survey of French Alcohol Specialists



Assessing acceptance of controlled drinking (CD) among French alcohol specialists.

On-line survey of 547 French alcohol specialists. We searched factors associated with acceptance of CD, and factors that affected the specialists' selection of treatment goal. Criteria for success used by specialists in clinical practice were compared with criteria expected to be used in clinical trials.

CD was accepted as a treatment goal 48.6% of alcohol specialists (n = 105, n = 216), and 61.9% practiced CD for their own patients (n = 130, n = 210). Factors in selecting outcome goals were: patient's choice, perceived self-efficacy, relapse history and severity of dependence. Age, profession and basis of specialists' opinion on CD were associated with acceptance of CD

Half of French alcohol specialists accept CD as a goal. Acceptance was associated with specialists' personal and professional characteristics. The criteria for success specialists use in their clinical practice differ from those they expect to be used in clinical trials.




Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: amandineluquiens@yahoo.fr