Urge-specific and lifestyle coping strategies of alcoholics: relationships of specific strategies to treatment outcome.
BACKGROUND
The present study examined the efficacy of various specific lifestyle and situation-specific coping skills by determining the relationship of each of these strategies to drinking outcomes.


METHODS
Patients with alcohol dependence in intensive day treatment (n=165) were participating in a randomized trial of naltrexone versus placebo and adjunctive communication and coping skills training or a control treatment. The alcohol version of the Urge-Specific Strategies (USS) questionnaire and the General Strategies for Alcoholics (GSA) were administered early in treatment. The USS assesses 16 situation-specific strategies taught in cue exposure treatment, communication skills training, or relaxation/meditation training to cope with experiencing an urge to drink (e.g., think of positive and negative consequences of drinking, use mastery messages, engage in an alternative behavior); the 21-item GSA assesses lifestyle change strategies taught in communication skills training and in the general treatment program (e.g., keep busy, exercise regularly, attend 12-Step meetings, avoid high-risk situations). Alcohol use and frequency of use of the skills were assessed 6 and 12 months following treatment.


RESULTS
Many specific behavioral and cognitive coping strategies were significantly related to drinking outcomes, including 13 urge-specific and 18 general lifestyle strategies, while other strategies were unrelated.


CONCLUSIONS
Since some strategies taught in treatment are more effective in preventing relapse than others; treatment may be improved by focusing on these specific strategies. Since results may be limited to this population, replication is needed in more diverse settings and without medication.
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97334, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
Sara L
SL
Dolan
Damaris J
DJ
Rohsenow
Rosemarie A
RA
Martin
Peter M
PM
Monti
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003142:Communication; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone