El último consumo de alcohol previo al ingreso de desintoxicación como predictor a largo plazo de la abstinencia

Abstract

We studied the utility of the “one last drink” prior to entering an inpatient detoxification programme as an indicator of resistance to a change of phase in the motivational state of alcoholic patients and if it could predict posterior therapeutic evolution. Urine samples of a cohort of 71 consecutive admissions for alcohol inpatient detoxification were obtained immediately after admission, and the results were compared with baseline and one year follow-up data. 47.9% of the samples screened positive for alcohol. This percentage was similar for both sexes irrespective of the existence of earlier treatment or the use of other drugs. No differences were found in abstinence or in compliance with treatment among patients who tested positive or negative for alcohol at one-year follow-up. However, in those who had undergone previous treatment, a positive analysis was a factor that predicted a poorer clinical evolution. It is concluded that the absence of “one last drink” is not a good indicator of a change in motivation or of therapeutic prognosis if other factors are not taken into account.