Alcohol Use Disorder in immigrant patients: 2-years of follow-up treatment

Abstract

Introduction. In recent decades the immigrant population has increased significantly in Western countries, which not only influences the former culturally but also in their alcohol consumption patterns. The course of immigration can cause social stress, which can lead to uprooting, frustration of their expectations or marginality, which are risk factors for an increase in alcohol consumption, possibly in order to face their different problems. The aims of this study are: to investigate the progression along two years of treatment of a sample of immigrant patients with Alcohol Use Disorder, to compare it with a sample of Spanish natives and to analyze the evolution of immigrant patients according to the geographical area of origin.

Methods. Two samples of individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (DSM-V) were compared: one sample of 388 immigrant patients and a control sample composed of 262 Spanish patients. Likewise, the patients were studied according to the geographical area to which they belong.

Results and conclusions. 45.4% of patients in the Spanish sample remain in abstinence after 2 years of treatment compared to 33.8% in the immigrant sample. Patients who achieve greater abstinence are those of Arab origin (52.3%). However, there is a better adherence in South America/Southern Cone (67.7%). The countries with the worst outcomes in abstinence are those in South America/Northern countries (26.2%) and those in Eastern Europe (29.1%).