An experimental analysis of the behavior of alcoholics and nonalcoholics during prolonged experimental drinking: A necessary precursor of behavior therapy?

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The social, affective, and drinking behavior of four skid-row alcoholics and four matched nonalcoholics was observed during two identical 33-day studies. In each study, an 18-day drinking period followed a 9-day predrinking period and preceded a 6-day post-drinking period. The studies were also divided into alternating 3-day socialization and interpersonal isolation periods. Points earned for operant responding “bought” 86-proof bourbon whiskey and/or “relief from isolation” at specified times. Results were: (a) though both alcoholics and nonalcoholics reached the same high blood alcohol levels early in drinking, the alcoholics remained at these levels longer and returned to them more frequently. Hence, they drank almost twice as much as the nonalcoholics; (b) alcoholics began drinking with a 3- to 5-day “spree,” followed by a longer “maintenance” drinking period; nonalcoholics were only “maintenance” drinkers; (c) unlike nonalcoholics, alcoholics were social isolates before, during, and after drinking; (d) alcoholics became significantly more depressed and less active and demonstrated significantly more psychopathology than nonalcoholics once drinking began. Discussion of these findings centers on their relevance to the continued development of new, more effective, behavioral approaches to the treatment of alcoholism.