--- - |2+ Abstract Objectives Trajectories of change accompanying alcohol‐specialized care can be affected by numerous variables. Massive urges to drink can substantially hamper personal motivation to change. However, time perspective could also play an indirect role in this association. This research explores whether time perspectives mediates the relationship between inclinations to use or not to use alcohol and patients’ motivation to change. Design The sample included 150 outpatients in care for their problematic alcohol use. Models of mediation were planned. Results At the entry in care, three specific time perspectives, Past Negative, Present Fatalistic, and Future, acted as discrete mediators. Conclusions These findings highlight underlying mechanisms connecting inclinations to use or to avoid the substance and the patient's motivation to change. Time perspective could also be an interesting intervention target in existing alcohol‐specialized treatment programs. - Journal of Clinical Psychology, EarlyView.