Alcohol and sedative drug use in neurotic outpatients.

One hundred and six adult neurotic patients attending a behavioural psychotherapy unit were asked about their use of alcohol and other drugs and the perceived anxiolytic effect of these substances. Their drinking behaviour was not significantly different from that of the general population. Alcohol and other drugs were not perceived as reliable anxiolytics and not regularly used as such. Where alcohol or drug abuse coexist with anxiety-related problems, it is helpful to ask the patient to withdraw from these substances prior to starting behavioural therapy of the latter. We ask patients having behavioural therapy to refrain from alcohol or drug use prior to therapy or homework tasks.