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Moderate drinking in ex-alcoholics: recent studies.

J R Taylor, J E Helzer, L N Robins

Journal of Studies on Alcohol

|March 1, 1986

Summary

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Moderate drinking after alcoholism treatment is less common than previously thought, with rates likely between 2-12% for treated individuals. Mild cases with fewer alcohol problems are more likely to achieve sustained moderate drinking.

Area of Science:

Addiction Medicine
Psychiatry
Public Health

Background:

The concept of moderate drinking in individuals with a history of alcoholism has been a subject of ongoing research and debate.
Previous literature, including the 1976 Rand report, suggested varying rates of successful moderate drinking post-treatment.
Discrepancies in study methodologies, diagnostic criteria, and definitions of 'moderate drinking' complicate direct comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and synthesize findings on the prevalence of moderate drinking among ex-alcoholics since 1976.
To assess the reliability of earlier optimistic reports on moderate drinking rates.
To identify factors associated with successful sustained moderate drinking in individuals with a history of alcohol dependence.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

Systematic review of published literature on moderate drinking in ex-alcoholics.
Analysis of studies published after the 1976 Rand report.
Examination of variations in diagnostic criteria, definitions of moderate drinking, and follow-up periods across studies.

Main Results:

The majority of recent studies suggest that earlier reports on the frequency of moderate drinking in ex-alcoholics may have been overly optimistic.
The likelihood of sustained, problem-free moderate drinking decreases as the required duration of abstinence or moderation increases.
Among treated alcoholics, the estimated percentage achieving moderate drinking ranges from approximately 2% to 12%; rates may be higher in community samples.
Mild cases, defined by fewer lifetime alcohol-related problems, represent the only consistent factor among individuals who achieve moderate drinking.

Conclusions:

Sustained moderate drinking is a less common outcome for individuals with a history of alcoholism than previously suggested.
The definition of moderate drinking and the length of the follow-up period significantly influence reported success rates.
Identifying individuals with milder alcohol use disorders may be crucial for predicting the potential for successful moderate drinking.