Training social drinking as an alternative to abstinence for alcoholics

Mills, Kenneth C.; Sobell, Mark B.; Schaefer, Halmuth H.

doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(71)80142-9

Cited by 92 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Such drinking has been defined as “exerting the self-control necessary to maintain a pattern of moderate social drinking” (Lovibond and Caddy, 1970: 439), as well as “occasional consumption of alcohol without evidence of drunkenness” (Mills et al, 1971: 22). Controlled drinking is generally considered to be the ability to consume alcohol in moderation with minimal negative consequences, similar to the consummatory behavior of social drinkers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-estimation of blood alcohol concentration: A review

Aston

Liguori

2013

Addictive Behaviors

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This article reviews the history of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) estimation training, which trains drinkers to discriminate distinct BAC levels and thus avoid excessive alcohol consumption. BAC estimation training typically combines education concerning alcohol metabolism with attention to subjective internal cues associated with specific concentrations. Estimation training was originally conceived as a component of controlled drinking programs. However, dependent drinkers were unsuccessful in BAC estimation, likely due to extreme tolerance. In contrast, moderate drinkers successfully acquired this ability. A subsequent line of research translated laboratory estimation studies to naturalistic settings by studying large samples of drinkers in their preferred drinking environments. Thus far, naturalistic studies have provided mixed results regarding the most effective form of BAC feedback. BAC estimation training is important because it imparts an ability to perceive individualized impairment that may be present below the legal limit for driving. Consequently, the training can be a useful component for moderate drinkers in drunk driving prevention programs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-estimation of blood alcohol concentration: A review

Aston

Liguori

2013

Addictive Behaviors

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“…A growing body of evidence has been harvested (e.g., Miller, 1972;Mills, Sobell, & Schaefer, 1971;Sobell & Sobell, 1973) that suggests that not only is controlled drinking a viable alternative for some alcoholics, but it is possibly more efficacious than abstinence in terms of long-term success (Sobell & Sobell, 1976). Loyd and Salzburg (1975) concluded that, a t the least, a controlled drinking training regimen may afford treatment t o problem drinkers for whom abstinence is not likely forthcoming, and "may quite possibly afford to a large population of alcohol abusers a goal more easily achieved and maintained than abstinence by increasing t,he possibility of generalization f i om the treatment environment to the outside world [p.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Goal choice of alcoholics: A comparison of those who choose total abstinence vs. those who choose responsible, controlled drinking

Pachman¹,

Foy²,

van³

1978

J. Clin. Psychol.

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Examined possible pre-treatment differences between alcoholic veterans who choose total abstinence and those who choose responsible drinking as their drinking goal. The two groups were compared on a variety of behavioral, cognitive, affective, and demographic characteristics. It was found that those who choose responsible drinking had a significantly shorter history of abusive drinking (6.5 years vs. 11.5 years) and more education (12.5 years vs. 10.8 years). In addition, the responsible drinking group showed a stronger belief that their chance for success was 100%.

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“…After the first day, no subject made an early request and all subjects were deemed physically fit for each day's work at the workshop. While these data are at best only slightly suggestive, a similar procedure has been used by Mills, Sobell, and Schaefer (1971) to reduce drinking rates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

The Performance of Adult Alcoholics Working for Alcohol*: A Detailed Operant Analysis

Sanders¹,

Nathan

O’Brien

1976

British Journal of Addiction to Alcohol & Other Drugs

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Eight chronic alcoholics served as subjects in a residential facility. They were required to make a simple repetitious response in order to earn points exchangeable for social, appetitive, and alcohol reiriforcers. Over the course of this project, rates of responding for points on two schedules of reiriforcement were observed as were patterns of drinking, working, sleeping, and socializing; the effects of alcohol on the subject's performance; and the ir^uences of alcohol as a reinforcer. The findings indicated by the detailed analysis provided by the methodology were not in complete agreement with some of the more coarsely analyzed data of similar experiments, e.g. the subjects worked for points during episodes of drinking more often than not. Additionally, new findings were shown, e.g., the subjects did not save points ahead but worked and drank in a "hand-to-mouth" manner in relatively short drinking and working cycles. Finally, many of the findings were in agreement with data reported earlier by other authors. Some implications for the control of alcoholic behavior are discussed. Mello and Mendelson (1971) have reported a somewhat detailed analysis of some aspects of the drinking patterns of alcoholics. Their data indicated that there was a great consistency in the volume of alcohol requested per purchase and in the distribution of these purchases over time throughout a long drinking period (9-12 days). They further noted that there was a slight decrease in the total volume of alcohol purchased as the experiment progressed. However, their subjects always had sufficient tokens for alcohol purchases and therefore no information was available on the relationship between work and purchases or relative affluence and purchases. In addition, the authors made only limited use of the detail of which their operant tracing analysis was capable.Therefore, the present study was designed to make possible an appropriately detailed analysis of a number of aspects of the drinking behavior of alcoholic subjects, e.g.:1. The influence of two different schedules on which points could be earned which were exchangeable for social, appetitive, and alcohol reinforcers. 2. The reinforcing potential of alcohol.*We wish to thank Dr. Roger Poppen and Ms. Laurie Denno for their suggestions concerning the preparation of this manuscript. 307

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Training social drinking as an alternative to abstinence for alcoholics

Cited by 92 publications

References 7 publications

Self-estimation of blood alcohol concentration: A review

Self-estimation of blood alcohol concentration: A review

Goal choice of alcoholics: A comparison of those who choose total abstinence vs. those who choose responsible, controlled drinking

The Performance of Adult Alcoholics Working for Alcohol*: A Detailed Operant Analysis

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