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Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Abstract

Introduction : Alcohol consumption is an individual phenomenon. However, itimposes significant burden on society and its harms the health ofthe drinker as well as others. Persons with alcohol dependence lackthe ability to control their consumption and continue and/or increaseconsumption, despite adverse consequences presented. Alcoholdependence is a serious health problem; it is a chronic disease thataffects the cost of health care. With the alteration of health that maylimit what a person can do for himself and may limit his ability tohave healthy living and well-being. A factor related to continue and/or increase alcohol consumption in persons with alcohol dependenceis craving for alcohol. It has received increasing attention from manyclinicians and researchers. In this aspect, Alcohol Craving ControlProgram (ACC Program) was conducted to improve craving controlagency on decrease alcohol consumption.Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of ACC Program on alcohol consumptionin persons with alcohol dependence.Setting : Alcohol Detoxification Ward of Thanyarak Institute on Drug Abuse.Research design : Experimental pretest-posttest control group designed withrandomized subjects.Patients : The subjects were 61 male alcohol dependent patients (mean age34.72, ± 7.78 years) who admitted between November 2009 - March2010.Method : The subjects were randomized by a computer program; 32 of themwere in the intervention group that received ACC Program, while 29of them were in the control group that received only routine care.ACC Program included 2 phases which were: 1) Investigation andreflection for decision to improve craving control agency; 2)Performance of productive craving control agency. Alcoholconsumption was measured by Alcohol Consumption Assessment(ACA: quantity and frequency of alcohol intake) measured beforeintervention and after discharge. Independent t-test were used tocompare the difference between alcohol consumption of theintervention and control group.Results : The results reveal that the mean different score of the alcoholconsumption in the intervention group was significantly higher thanthat of the control group, (p < 0.05).Conclusion : Alcohol consumption was significantly lower in the ACC Programgroup.

Publisher

Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University

First Page

233

Last Page

251

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