Differences Between Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder Referred to Outpatient or Residential Treatment: An Observational Study

Aims Identifying the proper treatment setting and treatment level for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is of vital importance for securing favorable treatment outcomes. Clear evidence is lacking, but available research suggests that residential treatment works best for patients with high AUD severity, comorbid mental health disorders, and other social and functional problems. However, it is not evident that patients are referred to this costly treatment option based on these characteristics. We therefore examined whether patients in outpatient and residential AUD treatment differed on key characteristics. Methods Tests of bivariate associations were used to assess group differences between outpatients and patients in residential treatment in severity of alcohol use, other drug use, mental health, cognitive functioning, personality functioning, physical health, and social functioning. Results Severity of alcohol use, as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), differed between the outpatient and residential groups. The residential group had a higher severity of alcohol use. Patients in the residential group were also somewhat older and much less likely to be employed. Conclusions Patients in outpatient and residential treatment mainly differed in the severity of alcohol use. Potential reasons for referrals to different treatment settings and their implications for clinical practice are discussed.