Behavior Change Patterns and Strategies Distinguishing Moderation Drinking and Abstinence During the Natural Resolution of Alcohol Problems Without Treatment

• Published in: Psychology of addictive behaviors Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 48 - 55
• Main Authors: King, Michele Pukish, Tucker, Jalie A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Educational Publishing Foundation 01-03-2000; American Psychological Association
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Alcohol Abuse; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Alcohol Use; Behavior Change; Biological and medical sciences; Desintoxication. Drug withdrawal; Drug Abstinence; Female; Human; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Problem drinking; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Recovery (Disorders); Resolution; Strategies; Treatments; Human; Treatment; Alcoholism; Detoxification; Behavior change; Self control; Strategy
• ISSN: 0893-164X; 1939-1501
• DOI: 10.1037/0893-164X.14.1.48

Behavior change patterns and strategies involved in natural
resolutions that resulted in stable moderation drinking or
abstinence were investigated, using untreated problem drinkers with
different drinking statuses. Participants' drinking practices and
problems, resolution patterns, behavior-change strategies, and
barriers to help seeking were assessed during structured interviews.
Collaterals verified participants' reports. Most abstinent
resolutions were initiated abruptly. Moderation resolutions were
achieved more gradually and entailed changes in drinking practices
like those emphasized in behavioral self-control treatments.
Participants' desire to solve their own problem and concerns about
available interventions deterred help seeking, even though help was
widely available. These data suggest that variability exists in how
drinking problems are resolved and that interventions should support
the several successful resolution patterns.