Early evolution of alcohol use and drinking motives after bariatric surgery and associated factors: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Research indicates the prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) increases following bariatric surgery. However, the evolution of alcohol drinking motives over time and the predictors of increased alcohol use postsurgery remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined changes in alcohol consumption and drinking motives during the first 6 months after bariatric surgery, as well as psychological factors associated with increased postoperative alcohol use.

SETTING

The research was conducted across four Belgian hospitals.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was carried out. Of the 298 participants who completed baseline questionnaires, 252 (84.6%) completed them 6 months postsurgery.

RESULTS

Six months postsurgery, the prevalence of probable AUD (7.9% versus 3.2%, P < .01), and the total Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores declined (z = -6.28; P < .001) in the full sample. However, a subgroup (9.1%) reported increased alcohol intake (z = -4.23; P < .001) and heightened coping-related drinking motives (z = -2.82; P < .01), a pattern not observed in the overall sample. Preoperative psychological factors (i.e., emotional regulation, experiential avoidance, emotional eating) were not significantly associated with postoperative alcohol use. However, the group with increased intake showed higher postoperative anxiety than others (H(2) = 7.12; P = .03), and was the only one in which anxiety scores did not decrease postoperatively (z = -.89, P = .37).

CONCLUSIONS

By 6 months postsurgery, a subset of individuals demonstrated increased alcohol use, coping drinking motives, and persistent high anxiety. The 6-month postoperative period may represent a key window for implementing interventions to prevent AUD development.