Like previous studies, a small number of individuals with non-problem use in this study (N = 26) were able to successfully sustain remission. As discussed above, we did not find any unique predictors of outcome for non-problem users. We found no significant differences by dependence type (i.e., alcohol-only versus drug-only versus drug and alcohol dependence) in this sample of heterogeneous substance dependence. It appears that no factors in this sample of non-problem users were uniquely associated with outcomes. It is particularly of note that there was no interaction between non-problem use at year 1 and 12-step attendance, an abstinence-oriented program. Thus, 12-step was not differentially useful for those who had abstained at year 1. It may be that 12-step attendance, and more broadly, abstinence oriented philosophies, are useful for preventing relapse into problematic use because they do reinforce the danger of complete relapse. Qualitative work and studies with larger numbers of such individuals are needed to understand how they differ from non-problem users who relapse.
