title: Drinking goal selection in behavioral self-management treatment of chronic alcoholics.
abstract: The relationship between individuals' choice of abstinence or moderate drinking during outpatient behavioral management treatment and outcome over 12 months' posttreatment was examined. At the initial assessment, 46% of 106 chronic alcoholic subjects chose abstinence, 44% chose moderate drinking, and 9% were unsure. Over the course of treatment, subjects were more likely to move from moderation to abstinence goals, and after the first 4 weeks of treatment, two-thirds chose abstinence. These subjects were older, had more severe alcohol problems (i.e., higher MAST scores), and were more likely to maintain their weekly alcohol consumption goals during the 16-week treatment period. Moreover, these subjects reported less alcohol use in the 12 month follow-up period, and a greater proportion were judged as having successful outcomes. The implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Hodgins
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leigh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerrish
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome