A comparison of two treatment interventions aimed at lowering anxiety levels and alcohol consumption amongst alcohol abusers.

This study compared the differential efficacy of anxiety management and relaxation training - with respect to their impact on anxiety levels and alcohol consumption amongst people attending an Alcohol Treatment Unit. It was hypothesised that anxiety management would have a greater effect on the outcome measures than would relaxation training and that the effect on alcohol consumption would be moderated by changes in the clients' perceptions of their ability to control their drinking. The two treatment groups were found to significantly reduce self-reported anxiety with the anxiety management group being more effective than relaxation training. They had no impact on alcohol consumption.