Effects of short-term abstinence from alcohol on subsequent drinking patterns of social drinkers.
Previous research with both animals and humans has suggested that short-term abstinence from alcohol temporarily may increase subsequent alcohol consumption. To study this issue further, the present investigation evaluated the effect of voluntary, short-term abstinence on the subsequent drinking patterns of female social drinkers. Thirty-six subjects provided a baseline assessment of drinking patterns and then were assigned randomly to either a control group, which drank as usual, or to an experimental group, which abstained from alcohol for 3 weeks. All subjects monitored the frequency and quantity of their subsequent drinking for a 3-week follow-up period. The results showed that voluntary abstinence neither increased nor decreased subsequent alcohol consumption. This finding is discussed in relation to previous research.
Carey
M P
MP
Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, NY 13244-2340.
Carey
K B
KB
Maisto
S A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012931:Social Environment; D013695:Temperance