Sub-Project No 8 of the Research Group RISKDYNAMICS: Addiction Risk - the Dynamic of Risk Perception and Risk Behavior in Alcohol Dependence, Work Package 1, Study 1.

Based on previous research (Odenwald & Semrau, 2012) the investigators know that psychoeducation on comorbid mental disorders during residential alcohol detoxification can improve subsequent treatment utilization. In this study they will study a hypothesized psychological mechanism that contributes to this behavior change.

The investigators will recruit alcohol dependent patients in residential detox treatment who all receive Treatment as Usual. Participants will be randomly assigned to an additional psychoeducational group therapy (intervention group) or to an additional neuropsychological group training (control group). Measurements will take place on the day before study inclusion, one week later and one month after release from index residential treatment. Measurements will include alcohol-related risk perception, alcohol use, treatment motivation, comorbid psychiatric symptoms and whether the patient has regularly completed treatment and whether he/she has been transferred to subsequent treatment. Furthermore, six months after release from index treatment information on re-admission to the clinic is assessed from patient files.

The investigators hypothesize that the behavioral effects of psychoeducational group intervention will be mediated by adaptive changes of the individual's alcohol-related risk perception.