Relationship between alcohol expectancies and length of abstinence among Alcoholics Anonymous members

Previous research has demonstrated a consistent relationship between alcohol expectancies (i.e., cognitive expectancies concerning the reinforcing effects of alcohol) and alcohol consumption patterns. To date, no study has examined the expectancies of recovering alcoholics who have attained extended abstinence. One hundred and fourteen Alcoholics Anonymous members were examined. Significant negative correlations were found between the recovering alcoholic's length of sobriety and many of the alcohol expectancy scales. In addition, 11 items from the Customary Drinking Record-Revised and 2 items from the Demographic Data Sheet were factor analyzed resulting in the retention of two factors, Quality of Life and Desire to Drink. These factors seemed to be tapping important dimensions in the alcoholic's recovery. Two alcohol expectancy scales were found to be significantly predictive of the Desire to Drink and Quality of Life factors that were used as criteria in multiple regression equations.