Abstract
To investigate the relationships between the coping strategies used by recently detoxified alcoholics and anxiety as well as depression, 53 recently detoxified alcoholics completed a biographical questionnaire, the S-scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Coping Strategy Indicator. Of the 53 subjects, 72% experienced above average anxiety and depression was present in 77%. An avoidant coping strategy emerged as a significant positive predictor of both anxiety and depression. This indicates the ineffectiveness of an avoidant coping strategy for alcoholic patients. A problem-solving coping strategy emerged as a significant negative predictor of both anxiety and depression, which indicates the adaptive value of a problem-solving coping strategy. These findings suggest that training in problem-solving coping strategies, as opposed to avoidance, may improve the success rate of alcohol rehabilitation programs.