Citation

Amsterdam JV, van den Brink W. J. Psychopharmacol. 2013; 27(11): 987-997.

Affiliation

1Academic Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0269881113495320

PMID

23824247

Abstract

This review describes and discusses studies related to reduced-risk drinking as an additional treatment option for patients with problematic alcohol use and alcohol dependence. The review provides some empirical support for the following statements: (a) reduced-risk drinking is a viable option for at least some problem and dependent drinkers; (b) abstinence and non-abstinence-based treatments appear to be equally effective; (c) allowing patients to choose their treatment goal increases the success rate. The relatively short follow-up period (1-2 years) of the studies hampers a proper evaluation of the added value of the reduced-risk drinking approach.

Language: en