Spontaneous Remission in Alcoholics: Empirical Observations and Theoretical Implications

Life histories of a convenience sample of 35 men & 16 women who had stopped their chronic drinking problems without professional or formal treatment were analyzed to determine whether & by what means spontaneous remission of alcoholism occurs. The most common reasons for change in alcohol use were personal illness or accident, extraordinary events (attempted suicide, personal identity crisis, etc.), & religious conversion or experience. (19 refs)