Current status of the field: contrasting perspectives. The future of behavioral interventions

It is suggested that in the future alcohol abuse is likely to be treated as part of a program of general health management designed to change a number of health-related behaviors simultaneously. The overall program will emphasize detailed contingency and stimulus management procedures in the early stages, with control passing to generalized reinforcers and new cue stimuli as training proceeds. The client/patient will be an active participant from the start and will be given ultimate responsibility for managing his/her own behavior. There is likely to be a resurgence of interest in aversive procedures as a means of assisting behavioral self-management.