Drinking goal selection in behavioral self-management treatment of chronic alcoholics

The relationship between individuals' choice of abstinence or moderate drinking during outpatient behavioral management treatment and outcome over 12 months' posttreatment was examined. At the initial assessment, 46% of 106 chronic alcoholic subjects chose abstinence, 44% chose moderate drinking, and 9% were unsure. Over the course of treatment, subjects were more likely to move from moderation to abstinence goals, and after the first 4 weeks of treatment, two-thirds chose abstinence. These subjects were older, had more severe alcohol problems (i.e., higher MAST scores), and were more likely to maintain their weekly alcohol consumption goals during the 16-week treatment period. Moreover, these subjects reported less alcohol use in the 12 month follow-up period, and a greater proportion were judged as having successful outcomes. The implications of these findings are discussed.