Factors associated with age of untreated recovery from alcohol dependence

Aim: To determine the effects of age on triggering factors and maintenance mechanisms in remission from alcohol dependence without formal help. Method: Alcohol-dependent individuals who had remitted without formal help (N = 178) were recruited through media advertisements and grouped according to their age at remission into young remitters (YR, n = 55) or late remitters (LR, n = 123) and compared on remission triggering and maintenance mechanisms. Results: Compared to LR, YR had a significantly shorter duration of dependence, a longer period of abstinence, greater problem severity, fewer resources, and greater coping efforts. Conclusion: Naturally recovered alcohol-dependent individuals differ according to age in the triggering and maintenance mechanisms of remission.