Publication:

Assessment of psychosocial factors associated with relapse in patients with alcohol dependence: a retrospective observational study

Background Alcohol in beverage form is among the most widely used psychoactive drugs in the world. Nonetheless, its complex pharmacologic actions, including panoply of psychoactive effects, have led societies throughout the world to surround alcoholic beverages with a variety of rules and regulations governing their use. Despite these efforts at control, excessive drinking, with its adverse effects are widespread.

Methods It was a one year retrospective observational study. The sample consisted of fifty patients of alcohol dependence who following treatment for their condition had remained in a remitted state for at least four weeks, and had at least one relapse. The eligible patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and giving written informed consent were enrolled into the study.

Results Average time from treatment to lapse was 76.40±17.35 days, while time taken from treatment to relapse was 138.40±31.38 days. Average mean severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire score was 9.49±3.89, the total score of relapse precipitant inventory was 15.94±3.86, and the average value of coping behaviour inventory total score was 1.04±0.19. On the presumptive stressful life events scale the total stress score was 200.84±17.78. The self-efficacy scale (SES) of the patients, the average SES total scores was 60.10±8.77.

Conclusions Clinical parameters like number of previous relapses and positive family history of substance use emerged as significant determinants of relapse related psychosocial factors and appeared to be of greater importance in determining relapse.