Outcome studies on techniques in alcoholism treatment

This chapter attempts to evaluate outcomes of treatment trials subsequent to 1975 which used behavioral techniques as the main treatment modalities. The results of trials using aversion therapy, contingency contracting, broad spectrum behavioral treatments, behavioral self-control and other cognitive therapies are critically evaluated and compared with both conventional treatment and other behavior therapies. An overview of these trials indicates that where appropriately applied, behavioral treatment programs are at least as effective as more conventional treatment and in some cases their success has been strikingly high. Among the advantages of behavioral techniques is the fact that patients tend to stay in treatment longer and the use of paraprofessional and community resources tend to make these techniques economic in terms of professional time. Given these advantages of behavioral treatments, it is surprising that behavior therapy has not really affected the mainstream of alcoholism treatment to any great extent. The question of why behavior therapy has been confined mainly to isolated pockets of behavioral researchers and clinicians is also addressed.