Alcohol cue exposure directed at a goal of moderate drinking

A novel form of moderation-oriented cue exposure treatment for alcohol dependence is illustrated in a single case study. Formal clinic-based cue exposure following a priming dose of the client's preferred beverage is succeeded by supervised and then unsupervised in vivo practice at resisting continued drinking in tempting situations. Improvements on a range of outcome measures seen up to 12-month follow-up were supported by the results of an analogue measure of desire to drink. The potential place of this form of treatment in the range of services offered to problem drinkers is discussed.