Maintenance factors of recovery from alcohol dependence in treated and untreated individuals.

BACKGROUND

Research on natural recovery from alcohol dependence has focused mainly on triggering mechanisms of the remission process. Only a few studies have considered maintenance factors of natural recovery.

METHODS

In the present study, 93 natural remitters and 42 self-help group participants were compared. Both groups remitted from alcohol dependence according to DSM-IV criteria. Several alcohol-related variables and maintenance factors of the remission process were assessed in a personal interview by using standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis that focused on maintenance factors showed that, independent from direct self-help group context, self-help group attendees informed more individuals about their former alcohol problems and sought social support more often as a coping strategy to deal with craving. No further group differences could be identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-help group participants revealed a higher social engagement to maintain their recovery. Besides this major difference, data support the assumption that more commonalities than differences exist within successful recoveries from alcohol dependence, independent of help-seeking status.