Therapeutic alliance predicts mood but not alcohol outcome in a comorbid treatment setting

Therapeutic alliance was associated with improved mood outcomes, which is consistent with other research. However, alliance, as measured by the WAI, and drinking outcomes, were not related. Findings from these investigations signal the need to re-examine the concept and measurement of alliance in substance-using treatment populations, particularly with regard to drinking outcomes. Within this re-examination, findings support a greater focus on the therapists' role in the alliance-outcome relationship.