Effectiveness of the AUDIT-C as a screening test for alcohol misuse in three race/ethnic groups.

Background: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) is a brief validated screen for risky drinking and alcohol abuse and dependence (alcohol misuse). However, the AUDIT-C was validated in predominantly White populations, and its performance in different racial/ethnic groups is unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the validity of the AUDIT-C among primary care patients from the predominant racial/ethnic subgroups within the United States: White, African American, and Hispanic.

A randomized controlled trial of intensive referral to 12-step self-help groups: one-year outcomes.

Objective: This study implemented and evaluated procedures to help clinicians make effective referrals to 12-step self-help groups (SHGs).

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) entering a new outpatient treatment episode (N=345; 96% had previous SUD treatment) were randomly assigned to a standard referral or an intensive referral-to-self-help condition and provided self-reports of 12-step group attendance and involvement and substance use at baseline and at six-month and one-year follow-ups (93%). In standard referral, patients received a schedule for local 12-step SHG meetings and were encouraged to attend.

AUDIT-C as a brief screen for alcohol misuse in primary care.

Background: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C) questions have been previously validated as a 3-item screen for alcohol misuse and implemented nationwide in Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics. However, the AUDIT-C's validity and optimal screening threshold(s) in other clinical populations are unknown.

Methods: This cross-sectional validation study compared screening questionnaires with standardized interviews in 392 male and 927 female adult outpatients at an academic family practice clinic from 1993 to 1994.

Predictors of 16-year mortality among individuals initiating help-seeking for an alcoholic use disorder.

Background And Methods: We examined rates and predictors of mortality in individuals (47% women) who had just initiated help-seeking for their alcohol use disorders (AUDs) at the start of the study (n=628) and were followed for 16 years.

Results: For both women and men, the observed-to-expected mortality ratio (1.4) was lower than rates found in samples of treated individuals with AUDs, suggesting that those initiating help-seeking careers have better chances of long-term survival.

Intensive referral to 12-Step self-help groups and 6-month substance use disorder outcomes.

Aims: This study implemented and evaluated procedures to help clinicians make effective referrals to 12-Step self-help groups.

Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting Out-patient substance use disorder treatment.

Determinants of 12-step group affiliation and moderators of the affiliation-abstinence relationship.

This study examined characteristics of substance use disorder (SUD) outpatients at intake to treatment (N=345) that were associated with more 12-step group attendance and involvement, Steps worked, and acceptance of 12-step philosophy at a 6-month follow-up (N=281, 81.4%). Patient characteristics covered the domains of sociodemographics, SUD severity, personal functioning, and previous help received.