Impaired Control Over Drinking: Perceptions of Social and Treatment Drinkers

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the mechanisms underlying impaired control over drinking. A grounded theory approach was adopted in which drinkers' own experiences and perceptions of both control and impaired control over drinking were explored. Treatment drinkers (in alcohol treatment) and social drinkers (not in alcohol treatment) who acknowledged experiencing impaired control within the last three months were interviewed. Impaired control was defined as “drinking more than intended, or more than one thinks one really should”. Key themes to emerge from the interviews included (i) the role of negative expectancies about impaired control, (ii) the role of immersion “in the moment” in the functionality of impaired control, (iii) the role of conflict in impaired control, and (iv) the role of lack of control explanations in justifying decisions to drink. It was concluded that decision making processes, albeit conflicted and emotional ones for many drinkers, are central to impaired control.

Key Words:

• impaired control
• dependence
• alcohol
• qualitative
• decision making
• negative expectancies