A review of the use of self-control techniques in the treatment of alcohol abuse

In recent years there have been increasing applications of self-control techniques in clinical settings. Concurrent with this trend, there has been increasing empirical support for social learning conceptualizations of alcohol abuse, providing a theoretical rationale for the use of a self-control approach in alcohol abuse treatment. Accordingly, the outcome evaluation literature on the use of self-control techniques in the treatment of alcohol abuse is reviewed and critiqued. It was found that methodological problems limit the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the efficacy of self-control techniques, and it is argued that better designed evaluations would have theoretical and practical implications for alcohol abuse treatment. Several conceptual questions that should be considered in future outcome studies are discussed.