Environmental contexts surrounding resolution of drinking problems among problem drinkers with different help-seeking experiences.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated whether similar environmental contexts surround abstinent resolutions associated with different intervention experiences, including no assistance.


METHODS
Participants were selected in a 3 x 2 design (25-30 per group, N = 167) according to their help-seeking experiences (no assistance, Alcoholics Anonymous [AA] only, treatment plus AA) and current drinking status (resolved abstinent [RA] for >2 years or nonresolved [NR] controls). Life events were assessed retrospectively over a 4-year period that spanned the 2 years before and 2 years after the initiation of stable abstinence by RA participants or over a matched interval for NR participants. Collateral or reliability interviews were conducted for 84% of the sample as checks on participant reports.


RESULTS
Across help-seeking groups, RA participants reported decreased negative events and increased positive events from the pre- through the post-resolution period. Interventions, especially treatment, enhanced the postresolution improvements in RA participants' life circumstances. This pattern was absent among NR participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that a similar molar environmental context surrounds resolutions achieved with and without interventions and that interventions are associated with enhanced improvements during maintenance.
Tucker
Jalie A
JA
Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA. jtucker@uab.edu
Vuchinich
Rudy E
RE
Rippens
Paula D
PD
D000328:Adult; D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012931:Social Environment; D013695:Temperance / Q000523:psychology*