Occupational factors associated with long-term abstinence among persons treated for alcohol dependence: A follow-up study

BACKGROUND: Several studies have examined the occupational factors associated with alcohol use and dependence. However, there are very few studies that investigated the role of occupational factors associated with long-term abstinence among persons treated for alcohol dependence in India. AIM: To examine the occupational factors associated with long-term abstinence among persons treated for alcohol dependence. METHODS: Sixty in-patients treated for alcohol dependence were selected using inclusion criteria from the Government-run de-addiction center, tertiary care teaching hospital, Bangalore. All patients were followed up periodically for 1 year. The semi-structured interview schedule was used for collecting data on occupational factors associated with long-term abstinence. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Fisher exact test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: There was a positive trend showing self-employed (pf = 1.74, P = 0.45), having skilled work (pf = 1.52, P = 0.72), regular pattern of employment (pf = 1.21, P =.60), monthly mode of income (pf = 1.43, P =.76) were factors associated with abstinence. Among eight occupational variables, employment status (x(2) = 4.0, P =.04) and having well-defined working hours ((pf = 6.18, P =.04) were significantly associated with long-term abstinence among persons treated for alcohol dependence. CONCLUSION: Occupational factors seem to influence the outcome in alcohol dependence and appropriate vocational interventions would be effective in promoting long-term abstinence.