Nursing of alcohol-related cue induced craving on alcohol abstinents

Abstract

Objective To understand the characteristics of physiological craving to alcohol related cues of the alcohol abstinents and explore the corresponding nursing strategy. Methods 20 alcohol abstinents were confirmed with ICD-10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence (test group) and 20 normal subjects were selected to match the cases with gender, age and years of schooling (control group). All the subjects were exposed to alcohol-related environmental cues. The multi-channel biofeedback recordings were taken to record the physiological indicators before and after exposure. Alcohol Urge Questionnaire Scale (AUQ) was adopted to assess the extent of craving before and after exposure and analysis craving change characteristics of physical indicators. Results The test group in the alcohol-related environmental cues increased craving after induction (P <0. 01), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and skin power were also increased (P < 0.01), however, skin temperature was lower (P < 0. 05), compared with normal subjects. Conclusions Exposing to alcohol-related cues could increase abstinent alcohol dependents' craving and induce the change of physiological indicators. It was useful to construct corresponding nursing strategy according to characteristics of psychological craving and physiological indicators. Key words: Alcohol dependence; Environmental exposure; Psychophysiology; Biofeedback; Nursing