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.

___________________________________________

Sunday, February 20, 2011

STEPS Outpatient Program Improves Alcohol Treatment Outcomes in Ukrainian Regional Narcologic Dispensary


Alcohol abuse is of epidemic proportions in Ukraine, including the Vinnitsya Oblast (county), a midsized urban area in central Ukraine. Care for persons with alcohol disorders, provided in regional narcologic dispensaries, consists primarily of inpatient medical detoxification and short-term psychologic care. Structured outpatient and aftercare programs have not been investigated systematically for potential widespread dissemination.
This study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of adding a 12 step-based outpatient and aftercare program (STEPS) to inpatient Regional Narcological Dispensary (RND) treatment using a randomized controlled design. 

Persons with alcohol disorders (N=68) were recruited from the Vinnitsya RND. After approximately 30 days of inpatient RND treatment, controls were discharged whereas experimental participants voluntarily entered 2 months of STEPS outpatient day treatment, plus 1 month of aftercare and 1 month of sponsors' group.
Both RND and STEPS produced positive alcohol-related outcomes at 2 months that were sustained at 4 months. 

However, adding STEPS resulted in outcomes superior to RND alone. At 4-month follow-up, STEPS reduced average total drinking days in the last 30 days from 18.2 to 2.5 days; average number of drinks per drinking day from 13.6 to 2.9 drinks; and heavy drinking days from 7.7 to 0.4 days. 

Participation in STEPS also was associated with fewer negative alcohol-related consequences, less depression, and better signs of mental health as compared with RND treatment alone.
Adding a 12 step-based outpatient and aftercare intervention to standard inpatient alcohol detoxification was feasible and efficacious for alcohol-dependent patients in a midsized Ukrainian city.


Read Full Abstract 

Request Reprint E-Mail: jschum@uab.edu