Coping and maintenance strategies of spontaneous remitters from problem use of alcohol and heroin in Switzerland.

A short review of the literature is followed by data from a Swiss study on spontaneous remission from problem use of alcohol and heroin conducted in 1988. The analysis of the collected life histories led to the identification of a motivation phase, a stage of decision implementation, and a struggle for maintenance as the major sequence of the autoremission process. The discussion focuses on the "tools" which remitters use to put their decision into practice. The coping mechanisms identified are "diversion," "self-monitoring," and "distancing." In relation to the maintenance phase, the perception of possible relapse situations and intuitive predictions of the subjects and collaterals are analyzed.