An Example of a Decision Matrix for Alcohol Abstinence or Alcohol Use^*

	Immediate Consequences		Delayed Consequences
	Positive	Negative	Positive	Negative
Remain Abstinent	Improved self-efficacy and self-esteem, family approval, better health, more energy, save money and time, greater success at work	Frustration and anxiety, denied pleasures of drinking, unable to go to bars, anger at not being able to do what one wants without “paying the price”	Greater control over one’s life, better health and longevity, learn about one’s self and others without being intoxicated, more respect from others	Not able to enjoy drinking while watching sports, bored and depressed, not able to remain friends with heavy-drinking buddies
Resume Alcohol Use	Automatic pleasure, reduced stress and anxiety, not feel pain, not worry about one’s problems, able to enjoy sports and drink with buddies	Feel weak from drinking, risk of accidents and embarrassment, anger of wife and family, arrive late to or miss work, hangovers, waste money	Maintain friendships with drinking buddies, able to drink while watching sports, not have to cope with wife and family by staying out drinking	Possible loss of family and job, deterioration of health and early death, loss of nondrinking or light-drinking friends, ridicule by others, low self-esteem

^*In such a matrix, the client lists both the positive and negative immediate and delayed consequences of remaining abstinent versus resuming drinking. This list can facilitate the client’s decisionmaking process regarding his or her future alcohol consumption.