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Personality‐Guided Treatment for Alcohol Dependence: A Quasi‐Randomized Experiment
Author(s) -
Nielsen Per,
Røjskjær Steffen,
Hesse Morten
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490701525640
Subject(s) - personality , alcohol dependence , personality disorders , clinical psychology , intervention (counseling) , alcohol , addiction treatment , psychology , psychiatry , addiction , statistical significance , cognition , randomized controlled trial , millon clinical multiaxial inventory , medicine , social psychology , biochemistry , chemistry
Personality disorders are highly prevalent among alcohol‐dependent populations and result in a seriously elevated risk for non‐responding to treatment; therefore, they represent a major challenge for professionals providing treatment for alcohol dependence. Personality‐guided Treatment for Alcohol Dependence (PETAD), an approach that integrates cognitive therapy for addictive behaviors with strategic intervention for maladaptive personality features, may be helpful for patients with co‐morbid alcohol dependence and personality disorders. Clients admitted for inpatient treatment for alcohol dependence at Ringgaarden, Denmark (n = 108) were allocated to either standard inpatient treatment with cognitive therapy for alcohol dependence, or PETAD. Both treatments were manualized. Clients were followed up by mail at six months post‐treatment and administered the MCMI‐I and II and the SCL‐90 at intake, post‐treatment, and at follow‐up. PETAD was associated with better retention, longer time to first relapse, and less time spent drinking post‐treatment, although few differences reached statistical significance. Differences in results were mainly found in the subgroup with higher levels of PD. The study suggests that PETAD is a promising approach that warrants further study.