Applications of relapse prevention with moderation goals.

A brief description of the controversy surrounding moderation goals for individuals with alcohol problems is provided. Although the controversy is as yet unresolved, particularly for severely dependent individuals, evidence for the utility and appropriateness of offering goal choices (including moderation goals) to less dependent problem drinkers is discussed. In addition, secondary prevention of alcohol problems with high-risk drinkers often utilizes moderation goals; these individuals are unlikely to fit the traditional alcoholic pattern, but are at risk for a variety of intoxication-related problems. Relapse prevention, an example of a tertiary prevention program to facilitate abstinence in the treatment of addiction, may also be applied to secondary prevention (moderation) goals. Following a description of the relapse prevention approach and its use with moderation goals, two studies applying this approach to secondary prevention are discussed, and summaries of the results are presented.