A review of the literature uncovered 17 studies that have employed a randomized control design to investigate the efficacy of behavioral self-control training for problem drinking. A meta-analysis of these 17 studies showed that behavioral self-control training was superior to no intervention and alternative nonabstinence-oriented interventions in reducing both alcohol consumption and problematic drinking. The results of this meta-analysis also favored behavioral self-control training over traditional abstinence-oriented treatment, but the effect size fell short of statistical significance. Additional analyses found self-control training to be equally effective for use with alcohol-dependent and problem-drinking subjects and for follow-ups spanning several months to several years. The implications of these results for interventions with alcohol-abusing clients are discussed.