CUE EXPOSURE IN MODERATION DRINKING - A COMPARISON WITH COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY

To date, the published controlled trials on exposure to alcohol cues h ave had an abstinence treatment goal. A modification of cue exposure ( CE) for moderation drinking, which incorporated priming doses of alcoh ol, could train participants to stop drinking after 2 to 3 drinks. Thi s study examined the effects of modified CE within sessions, combined with directed homework practice. Nondependent problem drinkers who req uested a moderation drinking goal were randomly allocated to modified CE or standard cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for alcohol abuse. Bot h interventions were delivered in 6 90-min group sessions. Eighty-one percent of eligible participants completed treatment and follow-up ass essment. Over 6 months, CE produced significantly greater reductions t han CBT in participants' reports of drinking frequency and consumption on each occasion. No pretreatment variables significantly predicted o utcome, The modified CE procedure appears viable for nondependent drin kers who want to adopt a moderate drinking goal.