Work

Relationship between Craving and Early Relapse in Alcohol Dependence: A Short-Term Follow-up Study

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The role of craving in alcohol dependence and its relationship with relapse has been studied widely in the past decade. The present study was undertaken to assess the role of craving in short-term relapse of patients seeking treatment for alcohol dependence and changes in craving score at the end of detoxification and at follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 male individuals with alcohol dependence (excluding comorbid drug dependence, organic or psychiatric disorder), after detoxification and discharge, consented. No anticraving medicine, aversive or psychotherapy, was advised. They were diagnosed on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases-10 using Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) and Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale-Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-AR) were administered at the time of admission. Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) was applied at the time of discharge and follow-up to measure craving for alcohol. RESULTS: < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Craving seems to be a main factor related to relapse. Its measurement with PACS can be a useful tool to predict subsequent drinking and to identify individual risk for relapse during treatment.

Source: Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine

DOI: 10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_558_17

Authors: Rajan Kharb, Lokesh S. Shekhawat, Ram Pratap Beniwal, Triptish Bhatia, Smita N. Deshpande

Institution: Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Fogarty International Center