Impulsivity and alexithymia predict early versus subsequent relapse in patients with alcohol use disorder: A 1-year longitudinal study.

Abstract

Longitudinal psychopathological predictors of relapse in alcohol use disorder are unclear. Relapses, sociodemographic and psychopathological risk factors were assessed in 171 alcohol use disorder outpatients within a 1-year follow up. Impulsivity and alexithymia were evaluated using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, respectively. At endpoint, 39% of patients maintained abstinence, 30.9% relapsed at ≤1month from detoxification (early), 30.1% at >1month (subsequent). Baseline Barratt Impulsiveness Scale score was predictive of early versus subsequent relapse (odds ratio 1.12, p=0.005) and versus abstinence (odds ratio 1.17, p < 0.001). Toronto Alexithymia Scale score was a risk factor for subsequent versus early relapse (odds ratio 1.13, p=0.003) and versus abstinence (odds ratio 1.21, p < 0.001). Impulsivity predicted relapse within the first 4-weeks; alexithymia showed delayed effects. Time-varying effects of specific relapse factors emphasise the need for preliminary careful assessment and personalised interventions to promote long-term abstinence.