Two-year outcomes of male alcohol-dependence patients treated in hospitals for uniformed forces

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent disorder with a large treatment gap. Treatment of AUD is a challenging task for mental health practitioners, as there is no decisive marker for recovery, and abstinence rates are equivocal with and without treatment. A paucity of Indian studies determining the prognosis of AUD in armed forces led to the initiation of this study. Aim: To study the outcome of alcohol-dependence patients two years after treatment in uniformed forces. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 consecutive male inpatients with alcohol dependence admitted to the psychiatry ward of two hospitals for uniformed forces personnel. Relevant investigations were requisitioned for them, and records were maintained to facilitate easy follow-up at 6-month intervals over 2 years. Results: The majority of patients had begun consumption voluntarily to seek pleasure. The average daily intake was 71.36 g of alcohol. Most of them consumed alone. Ninety-three percent showed features of withdrawal after admission. The most common physical comorbidities were injuries and gastrointestinal disorders, while the most common psychiatric comorbid disorders were substance use disorders and depression. Upon follow-up, 42% maintained abstinence, which was either partial or absolute, 5% were rendered unfit to serve further, 42 were lost to follow-up, and 17% had eventually retired. Conclusion: Contrary to prevailing belief, the results of the present study indicate that 42% of patients with AUD improved with treatment.