The affective temperaments as a prognostic factor in the course of alcohol addiction – a key to enhance diagnoses and therapy?

The paper outlines the role of affective temperaments, as defined by Akiskal, in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorders with a particular focus on the clinical course of addiction. Among affective temperaments, a cyclothymic temperament seems to play a key role in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorders, and have the greatest influence on the clinical course of addiction. A high cyclothymic score is associated with inter alia an earlier onset of drinking and alcohol dependence, a negative course of alcohol dependence, relapse and alcohol craving. The structure of affective temperaments is also a predictor of suicidal behavior and drug addiction in the alcohol addict population. Interest has been growing regarding the role of affective temperament in the development and course of alcohol dependence; however, further research in this area is needed. An understanding of the temperamental determinants of alcohol dependence in the affective dimension may significantly support diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Affective temperament profile may be suggestive of alcohol use disorders and may be a primary prognostic factor of craving and relapse, potential suicide, treatment motivation and the co-occurrence of drug dependence among patients with alcohol use disorder.