Personality traits and craving in patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal treatment.

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a public health problem in France. Links between personality dimensions and AUD have already been established, but few studies focused on individuals seeking alcohol withdrawal. The main objective of the study was to describe the personality profile of patients seeking alcohol detoxification in a complex residential care unit. The secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between personality dimensions and alcohol craving.

METHOD: The observational longitudinal exploratory study included 88 patients with AUD who were hospitalized during alcohol withdrawal treatment. Personality dimensions (125-item Temperament and Character Inventory, TCI), alexithymia (French scale for assessing alexithymia), craving (the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale), anxiety (the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale), depressive symptoms (the Beck Depression Inventory) and cognitive dysfunction (the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) were assessed using the specified instruments at the time of withdrawal and 3 months later. Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels were also measured at baseline and 3 months later.

RESULTS

Among 76 patients assessed, 29 relapsed at 3 months. Relapsers showed higher novelty-seeking (mean ± SD = 63.2 ± 11.4 vs. 54.6 ± 10.8, p = 0.011), higher self-directedness (70.3 ± 9.1 vs. 63.0 ± 8.7, p = 0.009), and lower harm avoidance (48.7 ± 9.8 vs. 57.9 ± 10.5, p = 0.015). Logistic regression identified novelty-seeking as the strongest predictor of relapse (OR = 1.06, 95 % CI [1.01-1.11], p = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

High novelty-seeking emerged as the main predictor of relapse three months after withdrawal. Although self-directedness appeared elevated in relapsers, this likely reflects transient self-regulation fostered by inpatient treatment rather than long-term resilience. Considering personality profiles in early recovery could help tailor relapse-prevention strategies in alcohol use disorder.