Abstract: | Although research into alcohol expectancies is reasonably well established, there is scant empirical evidence to directly relate such expectancies to the treatment of problem drinking. Consistent evidence from alcohol expectancy studies indicates that problem drinkers hold clusters of strongly positive beliefs regarding alcohol, in particular perceiving their drinking as a way of coping with specific skills deficits. However the precise relationship between such beliefs and treatment has not yet been established. The research developments needed to more fully elucidate the role that alcohol expectancies play in the treatment of problem drinking are discussed. |