The Birth of the Blues: I. Blue Christmas

Abstract

would extend for at least three years after treatment; (5) outcome status would be based on the prior 12 months of functioning; and (6) outcome classifica¬ tions would be objectively defined and verified by two independent interview¬ ers. Very few existing evaluations of abstinence-oriented treatments could meet even half of these criteria, and the alleged standard recovery rate of60% to 65% quoted by Dr Maltzman amounts to a speculation based on little more than hearsay. The fact remains that in the only three studies to date that have randomly assigned patients to absti¬ nence vs controlled-drinking goals,4"6 no long-term outcome differences have been observed.We regret that our data were prema¬ turely quoted and interpreted in this fashion. We' are in the process of