Seeking help for drinking problems; a study in the Boston Metropolitan Area.

Abstract

Interviews were conducted in a probability sample with 271 adults who reported ever having drinking problems (based on their own definitions) to compare those who sought help for their problems with those who did not. The self-reported reasons for recognizing drinking problems were volume of alcohol consumed (57%), loss of control over alcohol consumption or inability to function without alcohol (17%), physical health (15%) and social pressure (3%). The most important factor leading respondents to seek help for drinking problems was a high number of life areas (work, friends, etc.) affected by drinking, followed by the belief that an individual has little control over whether he develops drinking problems. Demographic characteristics, amount and frequency of alcohol consumption and beliefs about the effectiveness of treatment were insignificant. The self-reported reasons for deciding to seek help were negative social consequences (26%), negative personal consequences such as depression (25%), social pressure (9%) and volume of alcohol consumption (6%). The most important self-reported reasons given by respondents for not deciding to seek help were that their drinking problems were not sufficiently serious and they could handle them on their own. At least 1 yr passed between the recognition of drinking problems and the decision to seek help for 17% of the respondents, at least 2 yr for 42%. However, 62% of the respondents actually sought help within 2 wk of their decision to do so, only 3% waiting over 1 yr.