Alcohol craving in problem and occasional alcohol drinkers

Aims: The impact of emotional states on alcohol craving has so far mainly been investigated in abstinent and actively consuming alcohol addicts. Alcohol craving and the variables that influence alcohol craving have not yet been examined in non-addicted, alcohol abusing drinkers and non-abusing occasional alcohol drinkers. Methods: In this study 50 problem drinkers and 50 occasional alcohol drinkers were investigated. The impact of various craving-related variables such as stress and distress, alcohol effect expectancies, and stress coping strategies on reward and relief craving was examined and compared between the groups. Results: Whereas most occasional drinkers reported little alcohol craving, problem drinkers showed a significantly higher amount of reward and relief craving accompanied by increased levels of stress-distress and a stronger tendency to use negative (inadequate) coping strategies. Stress-distress and alcohol effect expectancies were significant predictors of reward and relief craving in problem drinkers. In occasional drinkers alcohol craving was not related to any of these variables. These variables were also found to be predictive of craving in alcohol addicts. Conclusions: We hypothesized, that in non-addicted problem drinkers the expected rewarding and reinforcing alcohol effects lead to an early stage of addictive behaviour. Therefore, in this stage therapeutic interventions focussing on the awareness of the function of alcohol intake as well as alternative coping skills might be useful to prevent alcohol dependence in problem drinkers.