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The Effectiveness of Anxiety Treatment on Alcohol‐Dependent Patients with a Comorbid Phobic Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Schadé Annemiek,
Marquenie Loes A.,
Balkom Anton J.L.M.,
Koeter Maarten W.J.,
Beurs Edwin,
Brink Wim,
Dyck Richard
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1097/01.alc.0000163511.24583.33
Subject(s) - agoraphobia , anxiety , social anxiety , alcohol use disorder , randomized controlled trial , alcohol dependence , anxiety disorder , psychiatry , generalized anxiety disorder , comorbidity , psychosocial , panic disorder , abstinence , cognitive behavioral therapy , psychology , clinical psychology , alcohol , medicine , biochemistry , chemistry
Objective: Evidence has emerged which indicates that the post‐treatment relapse rate for alcohol‐dependent patients with a comorbid anxiety disorder is higher than for alcohol‐dependent patients without a comorbid anxiety disorder. The question raised by this evidence is whether the relapse rate in these dually diagnosed patients could be reduced if they were given additional treatment for the comorbid anxiety disorder. We attempted to answer this question by conducting a trial among patients with a double diagnosis of alcohol dependence and agoraphobia or social phobia. Method: We conducted a 32‐week randomized controlled trial among 96 abstinent patients with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence and a comorbid anxiety disorder involving agoraphobia or social phobia. The patients were randomly assigned to an intensive psychosocial relapse‐prevention program on its own (n = 49) or in combination with an anxiety treatment program comprising cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and optional pharmacotherapy consisting of an SSRI (n = 47). The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients who suffered an alcohol relapse during a 32‐week period. The secondary outcome measures were total abstinence, a reduction in the days of heavy drinking, and less severe anxiety symptoms. Results: Although the additional therapy clearly reduced the anxiety symptoms, it had no significant effect on the alcohol relapse rates. Conclusion: Anxiety treatment for alcohol‐dependent patients with a comorbid anxiety disorder can alleviate anxiety symptoms, but it has no significant effect on the outcome of alcohol treatment programs.