Dimensions of Change in the Improving Alcoholic

Abstract

An inventory encompassing six social-psychological dimensions that have been found to be related to problem drinking (Attitude toward Drinking, Environmental Support for Heavy Drinking, Impulsivity and Nonconformity, Alienation and Maladjustment, Looseness of Social Controls, and Unfavorable Expectations) was used to determine what areas of behavior were seen to change as an alcoholic improved. Three groups of social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists rated an alcoholic just hospitalized for treatment, an alcoholic just released from a hospital treatment program as improved, and an alcoholic who had been hospitalized for treatment, had improved, and had remained sober for 4 months. These professionals concurred that change occurred only on Attitude toward Drinking.