Inpatient desire to drink as a predictor of relapse to alcohol use following treatment

Am J Addict. 2006 May-Jun;15(3):242-5. doi: 10.1080/10550490600626556.

Abstract

Cravings for alcohol are identified as a trigger for relapse, though laboratory studies of cravings produce mixed results in predicting relapse. The objective of this analysis is to assess the usefulness of craving as a predictor of relapse by assessing 218 adult, alcohol-dependent patients admitted to two separate residential addiction treatment programs. Days craving reported in the week prior to discharge predicted alcohol use at three-month follow-up. Admission spirituality, alcohol-refusal self-efficacy, and depression levels differentiated cravers from non-cravers. Patients who crave alcohol in residential treatment may be at higher relapse risk and identified by intake assessments of self-efficacy, depression, and spirituality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recurrence
  • Residential Treatment
  • Self Efficacy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors