Enhancing Therapeutic Alliances in Alcoholism Treatment

Connors | Maisto | Dearing | Lucke
The working relationship between the patient and therapist during treatment for an alcohol use disorder was studied to examine its influence on treatment effectiveness and post-treatment functioning. 

The establishment of a therapeutic alliance between the patient and therapist is generally viewed as a central component of the behavior change process in the treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). In this study, the therapeutic alliance, from the perspective of the patient, was studied regularly over the course of outpatient treatment and its relationship to treatment variables (such as attendance) and posttreatment functioning (including drinking behavior) evaluated. The study was intended to advance knowledge on therapeutic alliances, the enhancement of which is anticipated to improve treatment outcomes.

Principal Investigator
Gerard Connors, PhD
Research Institute on Addictions

Co-Investigators
Stephen A. Maisto, PhD
Syracuse University

Ronda L. Dearing, PhD
University of Houston

Joseph Lucke, PhD
Research Institute on Addictions

Funding Agency
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Grant Number
R01-AA020253

Dates
2012-2018