Heimliche Rückfälle während einer Entwöhnungstherapie Vergleich der Therapeuteneinschätzung mit der Bestimmung des Alkoholmarkers Ethylglukuronid (EtG)

Translated title of the contribution: Covert lapses during an inpatient treatment for alcohol abstinence. Therapists' judgment vs. EtG assessment.

T. Wetterling1*, L. Dibbelt, G. Wetterling, K. Junghanns

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

Background: In Germany inpatient long-term therapy for alcohol-dependence (about 12 weeks) is rather common. During this therapy the patients are allowed to drive home at some of the weekends. Many of the patients returning to the clinic have covert lapses. In this study we wanted to assess whether therapists can detect these lapses due to experience and their interaction with the patients. Methods: In this explorative study lapses according to patient statements, breathalyzer results and post treatment urinary ethyl glucuronid (ETG) analysis were compared with the judgements of the therapists concerning covert relapse. Results: The therapists regarded lapses in 1190 of 1501 (79.3 %) home stays at weekend as improbable. In 231 cases (15.4 %) the therapists rated the probability of a lapse as 40-60 %. In 80 home stays at weekend (5.3 %) a lapse was judged as rather probable (70-100 %). The comparison of the therapist's rating with the EtG-measurements showed no agreement (kappa.077). Most of the relapses were only identified by the EtG-measurement. Conclusions: The results show that the therapists underestimate the rate of relapses of their patients at weekend home stays. To better integrate the problem of lapses into therapy EtG-measurements are recommended.

Translated title of the contributionCovert lapses during an inpatient treatment for alcohol abstinence. Therapists' judgment vs. EtG assessment.
Original languageGerman
JournalSucht
Volume65
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)355-361
Number of pages7
ISSN0939-5911
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17.12.2019

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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