Using a Lifecourse Context for Exploring Alcohol Change Attempts and Treatment Efforts Among Individuals With Alcohol Dependency

Abstract

This article explores the importance of incorporating past attempts at changing one's drinking during current assessment and treatment processes, as well as when interpreting research outcomes. It is hypothesized that the current change efforts might be influenced by the change attempts that individuals have experienced over the lifecourse or “career” of their alcohol use disorders. In addition to formal treatment efforts, previous attempts might include other less easily recognized change strategies categorized as “informal” and “self-change” efforts. The authors describe initial development of an assessment strategy, the Lifecourse Alcohol Change Attempt interview protocol, and the results of a pilot test involving current and retrospective data collection. Results are indicative of both the feasibility and clinical utility of applying a lifecourse approach to self-change attempts and inclusion of self-perceptions regarding attempt outcomes, barriers, and facilitators of change. Implications for social work practice and recommendations for future research are offered.