Alcohol Craving and its Associated Factors Among Adolescent Hazardous Drinkers in Thailand

Abstract

Background: Alcohol craving is one factor contributing to subsequent increased drinking and relapse in adults and adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). However, little is known about alcohol craving and its associated factors in non-treatment-seeking Thai adolescent drinkers. Hence, this study aimed to explore factors related to alcohol craving among Thai adolescent hazardous drinkers. Methods: A cross-sectional design was performed on 617 adolescent drinkers from three universities in northeastern Thailand who were selected by the multi-stage random sampling method. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection. Multiple logistic regression was applied to investigate factors influencing alcohol craving. Results: Most adolescents were male (51.1%), and approximately 55.4% of them reported craving for alcohol. The greater cravings were found in the presence of alcohol-related cues, such as being at a party or in a pub or bar, showing alcohol-related stimuli (sights, sounds, and smells), drinking with peers or others, and drinking on weekends. Psychological factors such as positive alcohol expectancies, perceived stress, and negative affect were related to a higher level of alcohol craving and were inversely related to negative alcohol expectancies and positive affect. Conclusion: Understanding the effects of alcohol-related cues and psychological factors on alcohol cravings may be useful for health professionals to identify which adolescent drinkers are at risk of renewed drinking and design potential target interventions to reduce cravings.