The topic of spontaneous remission from problem drinking is of special interest in alcohol studies as it has immediate relevance to both applied and theoretically oriented research. Despite this importance, little is known of the factors which work to encourage the resolution of problem drinking careers without formal treatment. The primary goal of this research has been to inductively identify thematic patterns of behavior and social contexts important to the rise and “spontaneous” decline of problem drinking careers. New directions, based on these themes, are suggested for further research on spontaneous remission from problem drinking.
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