Loading...
Delirium tremens (DTs) is associated with a 9% mortality rate, a relapse rate to problem drinking of more than 80%, and an increased rate of future DTs. These researchers explored whether patients who watched videotapes of themselves in DTs would have fewer relapses.
Participants were 60 white men with severe alcohol dependence (minimum, 3 years) and average daily alcohol consumption of 100 g or more who were admitted to a general hospital for suspected DTs. Subjects had no baseline cognitive impairment, psychosis, medication or psychotherapy treatments for alcohol dependence, or history of recidivism; their families consented to the videotaping. Patients were randomized to either watching the videotape at recovery while a psychiatrist expla…