Spontaneous remission from alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse: Seekingquantitative answers to qualitative questions

A quantitative review of the substance abuse literature revealed a mean gen eral prevalence of spontaneous remission from alcohol, tobacco, and other d rugs abuse of 26.2% when a broad definition of remission was employed and 1 8.2% when a narrow definition was implemented. From the results of this rev iew, it was concluded that few meaningful differences exist between spontan eous remitters and persons who either continue misusing substances or remit through treatment on pre-remission measures of prior drug involvement. Of the factors cited by self-remitters as important in facilitating their desi stance from substances, the present review found that health concerns, pres sure from friends and family, and extraordinary events were instrumental in initiating spontaneous remission, while social support, non-drug-using fri endships, willpower, and identity transformation were pivotal in maintainin g change. Evidence is presented to indicate that spontaneous remission from alcohol and illicit drugs and spontaneous remission from tobacco smoking m ay differ in several key respects.