Network support for drinking, Alcoholics Anonymous and long-term matching effects

Examined the matching hypothesis that twelve step facilitation therapy (TSF) is more effective than motivational enhancement therapy (MET) for alcohol-dependent clients with networks highly supportive of drinking 3 yrs following treatment, and tested a causal chain providing the rationale for this effect. 806 alcohol-dependent outpatients (mean age 38.6 yrs) participated in the study. The matching hypothesis was tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Clients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 12-wk, manually-guided, individual treatments: TSF, MET or cognitive–behavioral coping skills therapy. The authors assessed network support for drinking prior to treatment, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) involvement during and following treatment, percentage of days abstinent, and drinks per drinking day during months 37–39. Ss were re-interviewed 3 yrs following treatment. Findings show that the matching hypothesis for clients with networks supportive of drinking was supported at the 3 yr follow-up. AA involvement was associated with better 3-yr drinking outcomes for TSF clients. It is suggested that in the long-term TSF may be the treatment of choice for alcohol-dependent clients with networks supportive of drinking, and that involvement in AA should be given special consideration for such clients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)