Several psychological variables have been associated with the prognosis during alcohol dependence treatment
and after discharge. However, we still do not know the role that these variables play in the achievement
of abstinence and if they modify throughout time. Method: Longitudinal survey data related to anxiety,
depression, impulsivity, coping, meaning in life (MiL) and attendance to mutual-help groups were collected
from outpatients with alcohol dependence (N= 159, 66% male, mean age=42.54 years). Assessment points
were the following: baseline, at discharge (after 2-years of treatment), and 2-years and 4-years follow-up after
discharge. Drinking outcomes were evaluated with the Timeline Followback Method Assessment. Results: At
baseline, levels of avoidance coping and impulsivity were associated with months of accumulated abstinence
at 4-years-follow-up. However, at discharge and at two-years follow-up, higher scores in MiL were consistently
associated with months of accumulated abstinence at 4-years of follow-up. Mediation models showed that
MiL increased accumulated abstinence at 4 years-follow-up by increasing avoidance coping and reducing levels
of depression. Conclusions: MiL is a determining component in the long-term sustained abstinence. Our
results support the key role of MiL and point to a new mechanism through which it influences the maintenance
of sobriety. Because mutual-help groups have consistently demonstrated to promote MiL, they should be
implemented and recommended as an essential part of an integrated treatment of alcohol dependence.
Autores
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Rosa Jurado-Barba - 1Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid, Spain.
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Regina Espinosa - 1Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid, Spain.
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Marta Marín-Mayor - 2Instituto de Investigación Biomédica del Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. 3Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 4Red De Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd). Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
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Ana Sion - 2Instituto de Investigación Biomédica del Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. / 4Red De Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd). Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
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Gabriel Rubio-Valladolid - 1Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid, Spain. 2Instituto de Investigación Biomédica del Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. 3Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 4Red De Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd). Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
Palabras clave:
Avoidant coping style; meaning in life; alcohol dependence; anxiety-depression; mutual-help groups.