Using the temperament and character inventory (TCI) to predict outcome after inpatient detoxification during 100 days of outpatient treatment

Abstract

Aims: The aim was to evaluate TCI (Temperament and Character Inventory) scales in identifying personality traits for predicting adherence to outpatient treatments and the relapse of alcohol consumption by alcoholic patients. Methods: Follow-up of 89 alcoholic patients during the 100-day outpatient treatment after their release from the hospital detoxification unit. The detoxification treatment and the follow-up take place in the same hospital unit. Results: Of the patients, 34.8% abandoned the treatment and 31.5% relapsed. The patients who abandoned treatment had lower scores on the Cooperativeness scale. The length of time until the abandonment of the treatment was greater for those with scores >50 for the Self-directedness or Cooperativeness scales. Patients with scores >50 on the Persistence scale were more often abstinent; however, they took the same time to relapse. Conclusions: Higher scores on the TCI personality scales of Persistence, Self-directedness and Cooperativeness predict a better therapeutic evolution, especially with regard to adherence during outpatient treatment after detoxification. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Medical Council on Alcohol. All rights reserved.