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A recent study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research has shed new light on the social factors that influence how long individuals stay in inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder. The findings suggest that a person’s satisfaction with their primary social role—such as their position at work or school—and the size of their social network play crucial roles in determining the length of stay in treatment.
Researchers analyzed data from 800 individuals admitted to a short-term inpatient facility in greater New York City between 2022 and 2024 for the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders. The study found that a longer duration of stay in treatment could be more beneficial for patients, offering more opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
One key finding was that individuals dissatisfied with their primary social role were more likely to stay in treatment longer. Whether in a work, school, or volunteer setting, dissatisfaction with one’s social role seemed to serve as a motivator to remain in treatment. On the other hand, those with a larger social network tended to stay longer in treatment, likely benefiting from more emotional support and motivation.
The study revealed that for every additional point of dissatisfaction with their social role, individuals remained in treatment an extra 0.12 days. A larger social network also proved beneficial—each additional three people in a person’s social circle was associated with a one-day increase in treatment duration. Furthermore, patients who reported more symptoms of alcohol use disorder stayed longer in treatment, with each additional three symptoms correlating with one extra day in the program.
The research highlights the importance of addressing social factors during treatment for alcohol use disorder. The authors recommend that treatment facilities focus on strengthening patients’ social functioning, both during and after their time in treatment. Vocational rehabilitation and leveraging social networks could play an important role in supporting long-term recovery.
Clinicians are encouraged to incorporate these social functioning measures into intake processes and treatment planning, with potential integration into electronic health records for better communication among treatment teams.
Disclaimer: This study’s findings are based on a sample from one inpatient facility, and further research at additional treatment centers is needed to generalize the results. The study provides important insights, but the duration of stay in treatment is also influenced by numerous individual and external factors.
