Predictors of Utilization of an Addiction-Specific Behavioural Couple Therapy in Alcohol Dependence.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine predictors that lead to the utilization of Behavioural Couple Therapy (BCT) for patients with alcohol dependence (AD) in a -European health care system and to identify groups that have a low probability of utilizing BCT.

METHODS: Using routinely collected data from a German rehabilitation clinic, a sample of 1,843 inpatients with AD living in a couple relationship was examined. Each patient could freely choose to participate in an addiction-specific BCT as a voluntary additional intervention during an inpatient treatment program.

RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis indicated that female gender, older age and a higher number of comorbid disorders were associated with a decreased probability of utilizing BCT. The decision tree found that for men, the lowest utilization rate was in the age range of 51-54 and from the age of 58 years; women with higher pressure by their partner in combination with more than 1 comorbid mental disorder and women with lower pressure by their partner (regardless of comorbid disorders) showed the lowest utilization rate.

CONCLUSIONS: Certain subgroups of patients with AD are less likely to participate in BCT during inpatient treatment.