From a large consecutive sample (n = 1,312) of hospital-treated alcoholics with multiaxial ratings, 105 were chosen for personal examination two decades after the subjects' first admission (1949-1969) for alcohol problems. To study patterns of successful adjustment, 70 were chosen on the basis of a good social adjustment (health insurance data) at follow-up, whereas the control subjects had been granted a disability pension. The first follow-up was carried through in 1982-1983. In 1998-1999, the same 105 subjects were studied concerning mortality rate and adjustment patterns. In the good social adjustment group, 33% had deceased as compared with 63% in the control group (p < 0.01). Twenty-three out of 44 surviving subjects accepted a personal interview. Favourable adjustment was generally reported as being stable over the follow-up period. Several subjects reported stable non-problem drinking and others a change between abstinent and non-abstinent adjustment patterns.
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