Three areas of research have supported the conceptual relevance of Reduced Environmental Stimulation (RES) techniques in the management of psychological dependencies. First, preliminary studies through the late l960's indicated that relatively short periods of RES had a facilitative effect on the type of subject who might be most vulnerable to dependency problems. Second, work with Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale established that RES techniques were not only well tolerated but were positively perceived by subjects low in stimulus-seeking behavior. Third, specific work with cigarette, food and alcohol dependencies showed that the combination of therapeutic role and content messages with relative short periods of RES could produce stable reductions in dependency behavior. (Author)