A randomized clinical trial of behavioral couples therapy versus individually based treatment for women with alcohol dependence.

Objective: Multiple studies show that behavioral couples therapy (BCT) is more efficacious than individually based therapy (IBT) for substance use and relationship outcomes among men with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The present study compared BCT with IBT for women with AUD.

Method: Participants were women with AUD (N = 105) and their male partners without substance use disorder. Participants were mostly White and in their 40s. Women were randomized to equally intensive treatments consisting of either BCT plus 12-step-oriented IBT or IBT only. Primary outcomes included time line follow-back interview percentage days abstinent (PDA) and Inventory of Drug Use Consequences measure of substance-related problems. Secondary outcomes included the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Relationship Happiness Scale (RHS), and Revised Conflict Tactics Scales measure of intimate partner violence (IPV). Outcome data were collected at baseline, posttreatment, and quarterly for 1-year follow-up.

Results: Compared with IBT only, BCT plus IBT had significantly better primary outcomes of higher PDA and fewer substance-related problems during the 1-year follow-up period. Compared with IBT only, BCT had significantly higher male RHS during the 1-year follow-up. Women with lower pretreatment DAS had significantly higher DAS following BCT versus IBT, and there was an increasing advantage for BCT on female DAS over the follow-up. IPV was significantly reduced from pretreatment to follow-up, with no differences between treatment conditions.

Conclusion: RESULTS showed that BCT for women with AUD was more efficacious than IBT in reducing substance use and substance-related problems and improving partner relationships.