Relapse Risk Factors Associated with Cravings in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract Objectives: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing condition, and effective relapse risk assessment is crucial for treatment success. We intended to examine changes in the 27-item Chinese Alcohol Relapse Risk Scale (C-ARRS) and psychological measures over two weeks of alcohol withdrawal and to explore factors contributing to C-ARRS scores and their changes. Methods: Totally, 253 AUD patients receiving withdrawal treatment were assessed at baseline (week 0) and week two using C-ARRS, Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Regression analysis was done to identify predictors of baseline C-ARRS scores and their changes. Results: At baseline, C-ARRS scores were significantly associated with OCDS, BDI, and BAI. After two weeks of withdrawal, scores of C-ARRS ( p < 0.01), OCDS ( p < 0.01), VAS ( p < 0.01), and BDI ( p < 0.01) scores were significantly decreased. Changes in C-ARRS scores were significantly correlated with reductions in OCDS ( r = 0.420, p < 0.01), VAS ( r = 0.424, p < 0.01), and BDI ( r = 0.295, p < 0.01), but not with BAI ( r = −0.007, nonsignificance). Multivariate analysis identified changes in the score of OCDS as the only significant predictor of C-ARRS score reductions (B [95% confidence interval] = 0.220 [0.038, 0.402], p < 0.05). Conclusion: C-ARRS scores were associated with craving for alcohol, depression, and anxiety before withdrawal. But the improvement over craving for alcohol was a significant contributor to C-ARRS reduction during alcohol withdrawal. Managing cravings is pivotal to in reducing alcohol relapse during recovery.