Baseline demographic characteristics that have predicted better outcomes (e.g., Abstinence and Low-Risk Drinking) include being currently married and living with a spouse, higher education and socioeconomic status, being employed, and active involvement with religion (Dawson et al., 2012; Edens et al., 2008; Mann et al., 2005; Timko et al., 2006). In contrast, adverse AUD outcomes have been associated with earlier and more intense involvement with alcohol, smoking or illicit drug use, higher rates of baseline alcohol problems, and histories of prior alcohol treatment (Brennan et al., 2011; Bucholz et al., 2017; Holahan et al., 2017; Smith et al., 1983; Timko et al., 2006). It should be noted, however, that histories of past alcohol treatments have also been associated with higher rates of future Abstinence (Dawson et al., 2012; Trim et al., 2013), perhaps reflecting reports that, for some individuals, more severe problems might precipitate alcohol treatments that, in turn, might contribute to better outcomes (Brennan et al., 2011; Trim et al., 2013).
