Effect of Distress Tolerance Improvement Intervention for Problematic Drinkers

Background: This study examined the effects of an intervention to improving distress tolerance, drinking refusal self-efficacy, and alcohol consumption in problematic drinkers.Methods: Adults who reported problematic drinking were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=11) or comparison group (n=11). The groups were either administered treatment to improve distress tolerance or watch a video in which abstinent women talked about their drinking and abstinence experiences.Results: The repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant change in alcohol consumption in the intervention group. However, appraisal, a distress tolerance subscale, and opportunity for drink refusal self-efficacy, a drink refusal self-efficacy subscale, increased.Conclusions: Short-term interventions to improve distress tolerance may help change distress tolerance and drinking refusal self-efficacy.