Is controlled drinking a viable goal for alcohol-dependent patients?

INTERVENTION: Individuals who visit the clinics undergo customary diagnostic procedures, and are thereafter asked for participation in the study. Individuals who indicate a positive response are then informed about the study both in written and oral form. After this, they undergo a screening procedure to determine if selection criteria are met. Patients who fulfill selection criteria are included in the study and undergo a baseline assessment. The patients are randomized (block randomization) to one of two treatment arms: 1. BSCT Individual BSCT treatment is administered in accordance with manual (Hammarberg & Wallhed Finn, 2015) for 12 weeks: 1.1. Session 1: Structured feedback from the screening, motivational factors for change of alcohol consumption, goal of alcohol consumption. The homework assignment that is given to the patients comprises an alcohol consumption diary and a personal goal sheet. 1.2. Session 2: Identification of risk situations, with homework assignment: Identifying your own risk situations. 1.3. Session 3: Moderation strategies, with homework assignment: practicing personal moderation skills 1.4. Session 4: Strategies for abstaining from alcohol, with homework assignment: personal strategies for abstaining 1.5. Session 5: Maintain altered alcohol consumption and evaluation The therapist gives feedback on home assignments and introduces a new treatment theme at each session. The treatment is based on cognitive behavioural theory, in which the focus of treatment is to alter behavioural patterns that maintain high alcohol consumption (both high weekly consumption and frequent binge drinking episodes). 2. MET Individual MET treatment consists of four sessions according to a manual (Hammarberg et al., 2015) for 12 weeks: 2.1. Session 1: Feedback on the screening followed by a motivational interviewing session (Miller & Roll Nick, 2013) 2.2. Sessions 2–4: Motivational interviewing sessions. If applicable, a concerned significant other may take part in one CONDITION: Alcohol dependence ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Alcohol dependence PRIMARY OUTCOME: Percentage of days with binge drinking (men: >60 g alcohol per occasion; women: >48 g alcohol per occasion) during the time period 90 days before inclusion compared with at 6, 12, and 24 months post inclusion. ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Fulfils criteria for alcohol use disorder according to DSM5 2. Aged 18‐70 years 3. Has an explicit goal of reducing current alcohol consumption 4. Alcohol consumption during at least 30 of the last 90 days before inclusion 5. Stable housing in the Stockholm region 6. Willingness to give informed consent. SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Percentage of days with drinking during the time 90 days before inclusion compared with 6, 12, and 24 months post inclusion; 2. Percentage of weeks with harmful use (men: >168 g/week; women: >108 g/week) during the time 90 days before inclusion compared with 6, 12, and 24 months post inclusion; 3. Percentage of weeks with consumption according to individual goal from the time of inclusion until 6, 12 and 24 months post inclusion; 4. Degree of dependence at inclusion compared at 12 and 24 months post inclusion; 5. Biological markers of alcohol consumption at inclusion, compared with 6, 12, and 24 months post inclusion; 6. Alcohol‐related medical, psychological and social consequences of alcohol consumption at inclusion compared with 6, 12 and 24 months post inclusion; 7. Self‐reported alcohol craving at inclusion compared with 6, 12, and 24 months post inclusion; 8. Degree of loss of control of consumption at inclusion compared with 6, 12, and 24 months post inclusion.;