Protracted Alcohol Withdrawal and Cue-reactivity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Protracted Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome and Cue-reactivity in Alcohol Dependence
IRAS ID
143387
Contact name
Ashley-John Brewer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
The major problem in the treatment of alcohol dependence is the high rate of relapse drinking after abstinence. There is substantial evidence that adults with alcohol dependence show different responses (increased craving, increased autonomic responses) to alcohol-related stimuli (ie alcohol cue reactivity) than non-alcoholics. Alcohol cur-reactivity has been shown to predict relapse drinking, however this relationship is still poorly understood and more research is needed to understand those factors that affect alcohol cur-reactivity.
This study will examine the affect of a cluster of symptoms associated with the protracted alcohol withdrawal syndrome on alcohol cue-reactivity. 20 service users with alcohol dependence who have bee abstinent from alcohol for 28-42 days will be recruited from residential rehabilitation programmes in London. Alcohol cue-reactivity will be assessed with subjective craving ratings following exposure to alcohol related images. It is hypothesized that protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms will be significantly predictive of alcohol cue-reactivity. The study will provide novel information about the relationship between the protracted alcohol withdrawal syndrome and alcohol cue-reactivity and will improve understanding of why many alcoholics relapse to excess drinking during early abstinence.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
13/NS/0166
Date of REC Opinion
4 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion