Effectiveness of Extended Telephone Monitoring

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of extended telephone monitoring for alcohol-dependent patients receiving intensive outpatient treatment. It is hypothesized that telephone monitoring will produce better alcohol use outcomes relative to treatment as usual. It is also hypothesized that adaptive telephone monitoring plus brief counseling will produce better alcohol use outcomes over time relative to telephone monitoring plus feedback only.

Inclusion Criteria:

• enrolled in Intensive Outpatient substance abuse treatment for at least 2 and no more than 4 weeks at study entry
• qualify for a current DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol dependence (during the month prior to entrance into the IOP or detoxification program prior to IOP);
• willingness to participate in research and be randomized;
• 4th grade reading level (as determined by the Slosson Oral Reading Test; Slosson, 1963);
• able to provide the names of several informants who will know his/her whereabouts during the follow-up period

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute medical or psychiatric problems that preclude outpatient treatment (e.g., in a psychotic episode and not stabilized on medication);
• IV heroin use during the past year;
• anticipated involvement in other forms of intensive treatment (e.g., inpatient) during the 6-month period after enrollment.