A systematic review of reasons for abstinence from alcohol reported by lifelong abstainers, current abstainers and former problem-drinkers.

ISSUES

Numerous studies have been conducted to assess non-drinkers' reported reasons for abstinence, and this review summarises and compares the reasons for abstinence reported by lifelong abstainers, current abstainers and former problem-drinkers.

APPROACH

Based on a search of four computerised databases, we identified 31 relevant studies, each of which included a sample of at least 20 individuals who had been abstinent from alcohol for at least 14 days and reported a numerical summary of participants' self-reported reasons for not drinking. To identify the most salient reasons for abstinence among each group of abstainers, we calculated a z-score to represent the level of endorsement of each reason in each investigation, assigned listed reasons to one of 13 categories, and calculated average z-scores (weighted by study quality ratings) for each of the categories.

KEY FINDINGS

Having no interest in drinking and disliking the effects of alcohol were the most salient categories of reasons for lifelong abstainers; having no interest in drinking and health reasons were the most salient categories of reasons for current abstainers; and health reasons was the most salient category of reasons for former problem-drinkers.

IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the reasons that motivate abstinence from alcohol may help refine theoretical explanations of drinking and abstinence. In addition, understanding the reasons that lifelong abstainers report for not beginning to drink, and that current abstainers and former problem-drinkers report for no longer drinking, may help inform interventions designed either to delay the initiation of alcohol use or help individuals stop drinking.