SELF-HELP MANUALS FOR PROBLEM DRINKING - THE RELATIVE EFFECTS OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC COMPONENTS

This study was concerned with the effects of a self‐help manual, administered under conditions of minimal therapist contact, on the alcohol consumption of 26 media‐recruited volunteers. It was found that the self‐help programme was effective in bringing about a reduction in self‐reported alcohol consumption. In addition, the order of presentation of the health education and self‐management components of the self‐help manual was important with respect to outcome. The group receiving the components in the order self‐management followed by education showed a better outcome, in terms of lowered alcohol consumption, than a group receiving the same material in the reverse order. An explanation for this is advanced in terms of the model for process of change put forward by Prochaska & DiClemente (1983). Noting that the use of self‐help is best documented for those with less severe alcohol dependency, a number of points for both practice and future research are made. 1990 The British Psychological Society