Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Alcohol protracted withdrawal syndrome: the role of anhedonia
G Martinotti1, M Di Nicola, D Reina
1Department of Psychiatry-Addictive Behaviours, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy. giovanni.martinotti@libero.it
Aims:
The aim of the present study is to characterize the relevance of withdrawal symptoms during the first 12 months of abstinence and their relation to anhedonia and craving.
Methods:
102 detoxified subjects meeting clinical criteria for Alcohol Dependence in Remission were recruited at various time since the detoxification and subdivided into four groups according to the length of abstinence (group 1: 15-30 days; group 2: 30-90 days; group 3: 90-180 days; group 4: 180-360). Withdrawal symptomatology was assessed through the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for craving, the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and the Subscale for Anhedonia in the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANSanh) where the other instruments employed.
Results:
Both anhedonia and withdrawal symptoms were identified in all the groups considered. SHAPS score and VAS for craving showed a significant difference between group 1 and groups 2, 3, and 4. As to CIWA-Ar items, apart from "orientation/clouding of sensorium" that was higher in groups 3 and 4 with respect to both groups 1 and 2, withdrawal symptoms were not significantly different between the periods considered. SHAPS and SANSanh were positively correlated to CIWA-Ar total score, "nausea and vomiting," and "headache/fullness in head."
Discussion:
The results of this study suggest the relevance of protracted withdrawal well beyond the limited period following the abrupt cessation of alcohol intake. The clinical dimension of anhedonia cannot be separated from the other behavioral symptoms of withdrawal and should be considered as part of the same process.
More Related Videos
09:29Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
15:27Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug Dependence
Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration of Alcohols to Alkenes
Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.