Effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems: findings of the randomised UK Alcohol Treatment Trial (UKATT)

Heather, Nick, Copello, Alex, Godfrey, Christine and Hodgson, Ray (2005) Effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems: findings of the randomised UK Alcohol Treatment Trial (UKATT). British Medical Journal, 331 (7516). pp. 541-544. ISSN 0959-8138

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Abstract

Objective
To compare the effectiveness of social behaviour and network therapy, a new treatment for alcohol problems, with that of the proved motivational enhancement therapy.

Design
Pragmatic randomised trial

Setting
Seven treatment sites around Birmingham, Cardiff, and Leeds. Participants. 742 clients with alcohol problems; 689 (93.0%) were interviewed at three months and 617 (83.2%) at 12 months.

Interventions
Social behaviour and network therapy and motivational enhancement therapy.

Main outcome measures
Changes in alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, and alcohol related problems over 12 months.

Results
Both groups reported substantial reductions in alcohol consumption, dependence, and problems, and better mental health related quality of life over 12 months. Between groups we found only one significant difference in outcome, probably due to chance: the social network group showed significantly better physical health at three months. Non-significant differences at 12 months in the motivational group relative to the social network group included: the number of drinks consumed per drinking day had decreased by an extra 1.1 (95% confidence interval −1.0 to 3.2); scores on the Leeds dependence questionnaire had improved by an extra 0.6 (−0.7 to 2.0); scores on the alcohol problems questionnaire had improved by an extra 0.5 (−0.4 to 1.4); but the number of days abstinent from drinking had increased by 1.2% less (−4.5% to 6.9%).

Conclusion
The novel social behaviour and network therapy for alcohol problems did not differ significantly in effectiveness from the proved motivational enhancement therapy.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Heather is an equal status author. This paper is published under the corporate authorship of the UKATT Research Team. Heather has been Principal Investigator (Research Co-ordination) for the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial funded by the MRC (c. £1.5M, 1998-2002), with local funding administered by the Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust. For this paper, as stated in the appendix, “Professor Heather was responsible for research co-ordination. He contributed to the original grant application and participated in the design, implementation and management of the trial, managing, analysing, and interpreting data, and writing the paper.” Published as Nick Heather.
Subjects:	B200 Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy B900 Others in Subjects allied to Medicine C800 Psychology
Department:	Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User:	EPrint Services
Date Deposited:	05 Dec 2008 12:46
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2019 23:01
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/1902

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