RECOVERY FROM ALCOHOL-PROBLEMS WITH AND WITHOUT TREATMENT - PREVALENCE IN 2 POPULATION SURVEYS

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of recovery from alcohol problems with and without treatment, includin g whether such recoveries involved abstinence or moderate drinking. Me thods. Data from two surveys of randomly selected adults in the genera l population were analyzed. Random-digit dialing was used to conduct t elephone interviews with 11 634 and 1034 respondents. Respondents 20 y ears 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 mor e did so without help or treatment. A sizable percentage (38% and 63%) also reported drinking moderately after resolving their problem. Conc lusions. These two surveys are among the first to report prevalence ra tes for recovery from alcohol problems for treated and untreated indiv iduals and for moderation and abstinence outcomes.