Recovery from Alcohol Problems with and Without Treatment: Prevalence in Two Population Surveys

Author(s)

Linda C. Sobell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
John A. Cunningham, University of TorontoFollow
Mark B. Sobell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1996

Publication Title

American Journal of Public Health

Volume

86

Issue/Number

7

First Page

966

ISSN

0090-0036

Last Page

972

Abstract/Excerpt

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of recovery from alcohol problems with and without treatment, including whether such recoveries involved abstinence or moderate drinking.

Methods: Data from two surveys of randomly selected adults in the general population were analyzed. Random-digit dialing was used to conduct telephone interviews with 11,634 and 1034 respondents. Respondents 20 years of age or older were categorized on the basis of drinking status and history.

Results: Both surveys found that most individuals (77.5% and 77.7%) who had recovered from an alcohol problem for 1 year or more did so without help or treatment. A sizable percentage (38% and 63%) also reported drinking moderately after resolving their problem.

Conclusions: These two surveys are among the first to report prevalence rates for recovery from alcohol problems for treated and untreated individuals and for moderation and abstinence outcomes.

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.86.7.966

NSUWorks Citation

Sobell, L. C., Cunningham, J. A., Sobell, M. B. (1996). Recovery from Alcohol Problems with and Without Treatment: Prevalence in Two Population Surveys. American Journal of Public Health, 86(7), 966-972.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/751