Normal Drinking in a Recovered Alcohol Addict

Summary Within the context of a longitudinal study of 99 men with drinking problems, we present a detailed case analysis of one subject whom we have now followed up by interview and record‐search for 16 years, and who has considerably ameliorated his drinking behaviour. Our intention is to explore the value of the single‐case approach as complementary to more formal research methods. It is argued that analysis of the single case can be of value in sharpening awareness of the complexity and the evolutionary nature of the processes of ‘career and natural history’. Some research issues to which this case seems to point are identified and listed. Both psychodynamic and learning theory concepts are applicable, and changes in physical reaction to alcohol need to be considered. The idea of a graded dependence syndrome has more heuristic value than such categorical entities as ‘addict’ or ‘non‐addict’. Processes and influences which ‘stabilize’ or ‘destabilize’ drinking behaviour should be identified.