Treated and untreated recovery from alcohol misuse: environmental influences and perceived reasons for change.
This Swedish study compared assisted and unassisted subjects with different long-term drinking outcomes with regard to drinking patterns, significant life events, and attributions as to what initiated and maintained recovery. It was found that both recovery, independent of help-seeking status, and help-seeking, independent of long-term outcome, were preceded by prolonged harmful drinking consequences and increasing negative stress. Initial attempts to solve the drinking problem were followed by a significant reduction in life stress, but stable recovery was uniquely associated with stability and/or major improvements in the life context. Unassisted recovery was more often gradual in character and/ or motivated by positive incentives than assisted recovery. Possible clinical and social-political implications are discussed.
Blomqvist
J
J
Addiction Research Group, Stockholm University, Sweden. jan.blomqvist@ref.stockholm.se
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012931:Social Environment; D012938:Social Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome