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The relationship between perceived stress and cue sensitivity for alcohol
Michelle Snelleman1, Tim M Schoenmakers1, Dike van de Mheen2
1IVO Addiction Research Institute, Heemraadssingel 194, 3021 DM, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Addictive Behaviors
|August 19, 2014
Summary
Stress significantly impacts alcohol relapse risk by increasing sensitivity to alcohol cues. This review confirms the link, suggesting psychological vs. physiological stress and coping mechanisms influence this heightened cue sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Neuroscience of addiction
- Psychology of stress
Background:
- Alcohol dependence relapse is a significant clinical challenge.
- Cue sensitivity and stress are known risk factors for relapse.
- The interplay between stress and alcohol cue sensitivity requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review empirical evidence on the influence of stress on sensitivity to alcohol-related cues.
- To synthesize findings regarding the relationship between stress and alcohol cue reactivity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Knowledge.
- Inclusion of studies assessing stress and alcohol cue sensitivity via subjective, behavioral, or physiological measures.
- Review of 12 empirical studies out of 359 screened articles.
Main Results:
- Nine of the 12 included studies supported a relationship between stress and heightened sensitivity to alcohol cues.
- Three studies did not find significant evidence for this association.
- Evidence suggests psychological and physiological stress may differentially affect cue sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- A relationship between stress and heightened sensitivity to alcohol-related cues appears to exist.
- Individual differences in coping drinking may mediate stress-induced cue sensitivity.
- Further research is needed to understand the nuances of stress, coping, and cue reactivity in alcohol dependence.
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