The Relationship Between Educational Attainment and Relapse Among Alcohol-Dependent Men and Women: A Prospective Study

Background: We investigated the relationship between educational attainment and drinking outcomes after discharge from inpatient treatment for alcohol dependence. Methods: Between 1993 and 1996, we consecutively recruited 41 women and 60 men hospitalized for alcohol dependence and followed them up monthly for 1 year. We conducted structured interviews during hospitalization and at monthly intervals after discharge for 1 year. We examined the relationship between educational attainment before treatment and postdischarge drinking outcomes, including time to relapse. Results: After covariate adjustment, educational level was a significant predictor of drinking outcomes. Conclusions: Lower levels of educational attainment before entry into treatment predicted shorter times to first drink and relapse in both women and men. The association of educational attainment and treatment outcome for alcohol dependence warrants further investigation.