The alcohol paradox: A psychological model

Abstract

The paradoxical continuation of excessive drinking by chronic alcoholics despite extremely aversive personal deterioration is addressed by a two‐factor theory. The theory regards the increasing stereotypy of alcohol‐related behaviors as a function of: (a) primary neuropsychological impairments that result from alcohol abuse and (b) secondary fears of catastrophic failure attendant upon brain dysfunction, which leads to acquired aversions to situations that require adaptive behaviors. A schematic quantitative model of this formulation is presented that may be useful to practicing psychologists in explaining perserverative behavior in a variety of brain syndromes.

Cognitive, affective, and marital functioning of recovering male polysubstance abusers.

“…These findings support Goldman's (1990) postulated connection between the cognitive status of recovering individuals and their ability to effectively interact with others. These data are also consistent with Rosenbaum's (1990) formulation of the alcohol paradox —the fact that alcoholics continue to drink when this behavior increasingly worsens their quality of life. Rosenbaum suggested that the cognitive deficits incurred by the alcoholic limit his or her ability to process new information and to learn new responses.…”

“…Marital and family studies have shown that alcoholics often display interpersonal anger and hostility (Jacob & Krahn, 1988; Jacob, Ritchey, Cvitkovic, & Blane, 1981; Jacob & Selhammer, 1982; Leonard & Jacob, 1990; Rosenbaum, 1990). Two important components of relapse situations for alcoholics include conflictual interpersonal situations and negative affect (Marlatt & Gordon, 1982); these situations potentially mediate relapse to other drugs of abuse as well.…”