Factors influencing lack of adherence to mutual help groups in patients with alcohol use disorder in recovery: a study at the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre

Background: One of the main challenges in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the lack of therapeutic adherence, being key the perception of the disease. Mutual aid group (MAG) attendance improves adherence and protects against relapse. Objectives: To identify the factors that influence the lack of adherence of patients attended in the program of the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre to attend the MAGs, as well as to identify which variables of the disease perception questionnaire are more relevant for not attending the MAGs. Methodology: The sample included 100 patients. The AUD diagnosis was made according to DSM-5 criteria, the reasons for not attending MAGs were collected by means of a semi-structured interview (ad hoc) and the perception of illness was assessed by means of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Results: the study revealed that 72.3% of the reasons for non-attendance at MAGs were due to low awareness of treatment requirements. The main variables predicting non-attendance were: a) perception that the disease is not chronic and treatment is of little use, and b) belief that disease control depends on themselves. Conclusions: These findings suggest the importance of working on aspects related to disease awareness from the beginning of treatment in AUD patients, as well as highlighting the relevance of attending MAGs to complement the alcohol treatment program at Hospital 12 de Octubre.