Assertion Training and Human Relations Training in the Treatment of Chronic Alcoholics

Abstract

The effects of milieu therapy plus assertion training were compared to those of milieu therapy plus human relations training in reducing drinking behavior and increasing interpersonal skills of skill-deficient, chronic alcoholics in an alcoholic rehabilitation center. Although both treatments led to comparable sobriety rates at a 6-week follow-up, the treatment group which contained assertion training demonstrated significant gains in interpersonal skills as compared to the treatment group which contained human relations training. A 2-year follow-up indicated that the assertion training group maintained sobriety significantly longer than the human relations training group.