Factors affecting outpatient treatment compliance of older male problem drinkers.

This study sought to identify predictors of outpatient treatment compliance in a cohort of 205 male problem drinkers, age 55 to 79 years. Patients agreed to attend a weekly outpatient therapy group designed for older persons and abstain from using alcohol for one year. Patients who were drinking-driving offenders, who had later onset of alcohol-related problems and/or whose spouses also participated in counseling were more likely than others to comply with outpatient requirements.