The study aims at improving our knowledge about the long-term course of problematic drinking, and about crucial factors in the recovery from such problems. A planned total of 800 former problem drinkers will be recruited through a telephone survey with a representative population sample of 4,000 adults in Stockholm County. The specific aims are to establish (a) the proportions of treatment related and not treatment related solutions among persons who overcame their problematic drinking; (b) how these proportions vary with the severity of the alcohol problem, and with socio-demographic factors and social resources; (c) crucial factors in motivating and maintaining untreated solutions for persons differing in the mentioned respects; (d) the significance of various treatment interventions for treated remitters, differing in the same respects. Through collaboration with researchers in Canada and Finland, the study will also explore (e) differences in the above-mentioned aspects that may pertain to contextual factors (e.g. the form and content of the treatment system, predominant attitudes towards alcohol and alcohol problems etc. in different countries). The data analysis will combine quantitative and qualitative methods. The results are expected to provide a basis for developing help strategies that are adapted to individual needs and prerequisites.