Effects of short-term abstinence from alcohol on subsequent drinking patterns of social drinkers

Previous research with both animals and humans has suggested that short-term abstinence from alcohol temporarily may increase subsequent alcohol consumption. To study this issue further, the present investigation evaluated the effect of voluntary, short-term abstinence on the subsequent drinking patterns of female social drinkers. Thirty-six subjects provided a baseline assessment of drinking patterns and then were assigned randomly to either a control group, which drank as usual, or to an experimental group, which abstained from alcohol for 3 weeks. All subjects monitored the frequency and quantity of their subsequent drinking for a 3-week follow-up period. The results showed that voluntary abstinence neither increased nor decreased subsequent alcohol consumption. This finding is discussed in relation to previous research.