Neuropsychological performance and treatment outcome in male alcoholics.

Commonly used neuropsychological tests were administered to 91 detoxified alcoholics at the beginning of treatment. Statistically significant relationships were observed between test scores and post-treatment consumption determined 8 months after completing treatment for 72 patients. The results varied depending upon the particular measure of posttreatment consumption evaluated and the type of statistical analysis used. The most consistent relationships were often counter to the notion that increased neuropsychological performance is correlated with a more favorable treatment outcome. Neuropsychological evaluation is of limited clinical utility in predicting posttreatment alcohol consumption.