Alcoholism treatment by disulfiram and community reinforcement therapy

Abstract

Traditional disulfiram treatment has often been ineffective because of a failure to maintain usage. The present study with 43 alcoholics compared: (1) a traditional disulfiram treatment, (2) a socially motivated Disulfiram Assurance program and (3) a Disulfiram Assurance program combined with reinforcement therapy. About five sessions were given for each program. At the 6-month follow-up, the traditional treatment clients were drinking on most days and no longer taking the medication. The Disulfiram Assurance treatment resulted in almost total sobriety for married or (cohabitating) clients but had little benefit for the single ones. The combined program produced near-total sobriety for the single and married clients. These results indicate a promising integration of chemical, psychological and social treatment of alcoholism.