The relationship of beliefs about controlled drinking to recidivism in alcoholic men.

A total of 100 men were studied to determine the relationship between belief in the abstinence theory and outcome after treatment of alcoholism. Twenty-seven subjects reported believing that at least some alcoholics can tolerate a single drink without losing control or can learn to drink in moderation and the remaining 73 rejected both contentions. The mean alcohol-consumption ratings of the two groups over 10 evaluations covering the first 18 months after treatment did not differ. The Groups X Time interaction effect, which would have indicated a difference in the rates at which recidivism developed in the two groups, was also nonsignificant. Finally, the percentages of the two groups who were rated as abstinent, in complete control of their drinking or in control most of the time were compared at each of 10 follow-up points. Only a chance number of these differences were significant. The results suggest that there is little relationship between belief in or rejection of the abstinence theory and recidivism.