Treating problem drinking

Recent data suggest that most people experiencing alcohol problems have pro blems of mild to moderate severity. Relative to alcoholics, these drinkers have a shouter problem-drinking history, greater social and economic stabil ity, and greater personal resources. This article describes a cognitive-beh avioral treatment approach designed specifically for problem drinkers with low levels of physical dependence on alcohol who choose to reduce their dri nking. After describing various drinking-reduction techniques, the article reviews empirical evidence for drinking-reduction training. The increasing availability of drinking-reduction interventions holds considerable promise for reducing alcohol-related dysfunction among problem drinkers.