Problem drinkers' goal choice and treatment outcome: a preliminary study.

Thirty-seven problem drinkers, who had completed a 6-week residential programme which emphasises self-control and education, were classified into three groups. The patients leaving treatment with no measurable physical damage were classed as either controlled drinking choosers or abstinence choosers depending on their goal choice. The third group of patients, who showed physical damage, were strongly advised to remain abstinent after discharge. Follow-up for 1 year produced no significant outcome differences between the controlled drinking choosers and abstinence choosers, with patients in each group most likely to achieve their goal choice. The worst outcome, measured on several indices, was shown by patients strongly advised to abstain.