Spontaneous Remission from Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse: Seeking Quantitative Answers to Qualitative Questions

A quantitative review of the substance abuse literature revealed a mean general prevalence of spontaneous remission from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs abuse of 26.2% when a broad definition of remission was employed and 18.2% when a narrow definition was implemented. From the results of this rev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse 2000-08, Vol.26 (3), p.443-460
Main Author: Walters, Glenn D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictive behaviors
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol use
Behavior Modification
Biological and medical sciences
Drug Abuse
Humans
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Prevention
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Rehabilitation
Remission, Spontaneous
Self Efficacy
Smoking
Substance-Related Disorders - psychology
Substance-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
Tobacco
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Summary:A quantitative review of the substance abuse literature revealed a mean general prevalence of spontaneous remission from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs abuse of 26.2% when a broad definition of remission was employed and 18.2% when a narrow definition was implemented. From the results of this review, it was concluded that few meaningful differences exist between spontaneous remitters and persons who either continue misusing substances or remit through treatment on pre-remission measures of prior drug involvement. Of the factors cited by self-remitters as important in facilitating their desistance from substances, the present review found that health concerns, pressure from friends and family, and extraordinary events were instrumental in initiating spontaneous remission, while social support, non-drug-using friendships, willpower, and identity transformation were pivotal in maintaining change. Evidence is presented to indicate that spontaneous remission from alcohol and illicit drugs and spontaneous remission from tobacco smoking may differ in several key respects.
ISSN:0095-2990
1097-9891
DOI:10.1081/ADA-100100255