Mood changes in an alcoholism treatment program based on drinking decisions

The authors compared the amount of discomfort experienced by 18 alcoholic men who chose to drink and 43 alcoholic men who abstained from drinking during a 6-week treatment and research program. They found that the discomfort of the drinkers increased but that the discomfort of the abstainers decreased. The increase in the drinkers' discomfort appeared to be more related to their having to make a decision about drinking than to the amount of alcohol actually consumed. This finding emphasizes the importance of the role played by environment in affecting the mood state of drinking alcoholics.