Dose of Psychotherapy and Long-Term Recovery Outcomes: An Examination of Attendance Patterns in Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between psychotherapy session attendance, alcohol treatment outcomes, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance. Method: Using data from Project MATCH, repeated measures latent class analyses of psychotherapy session attendance were conducted among participants in the outpatient arm who were randomly assigned to complete 12-session cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT; n = 301), 12-session twelve-step facilitation (TSF; n = 335), or 4-session motivational enhancement therapy (MET; n = 316). Associations between psychotherapy attendance classes, heavy drinking, alcohol-related consequences, psychosocial functioning, and AA attendance were examined at posttreatment (97% retention), 1-year posttreatment (92% retention), and 3-years posttreatment (85% retention). Results: In general, participants who attended all 12 CBT/TSF sessions had significantly fewer heavy drinking days and alcohol-related consequences at all posttreatment time points than participants who attended 0-2 CBT/TSF sessions. Participants who attended all four MET sessions generally had significantly fewer heavy drinking days and alcohol-related consequences at posttreatment and 1-year posttreatment than participants who attended 0-1 MET sessions. Participants who attended more TSF and MET sessions generally attended more AA meetings, and participants who attended less CBT sessions generally attended fewer AA meetings. Conclusions: With some exceptions, attending all sessions in CBT, TSF, and MET was related to the most favorable heavy drinking and alcohol-related consequences outcomes. Alcoholics' Anonymous and other mutual help groups may be attended differently based on the form and dose of psychotherapy What is the public health significance of this article? Attending 12 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy, 12 sessions of twelve-step facilitation, and 4 sessions of motivational enhancement therapy is generally related to significant reductions in heavy drinking and alcohol-related consequences at treatment end and up to 3 years following treatment. Clinicians should talk to clients about the function of AA attendance during CBT, TSF, and MET, as well as after psychotherapy termination.

Automated summary

The study found that participating in more psychotherapy sessions was associated with fewer heavy drinking days and alcohol-related consequences for alcohol-dependent individuals, and the attendance in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings may be influenced by the type and dose of psychotherapy received.