Transitions in alcohol use over time: a survival analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Examined predictors of alcohol use onset, remission, and relapse.
• Investigated clinical and psychosocial factors across transitions.
• Focused on heavy drinking and alcohol dependence phenotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors for initiating alcohol use.
• To understand factors influencing remission from heavy drinking and alcohol dependence.
• To explore predictors of relapse for these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized survival analyses on a Vietnam Era Twin Registry sample (N=1769).
• Assessed lifetime drinking history, personality, alcohol motives, and psychiatric diagnoses.
• Censored individuals who had not yet experienced an event.

Main Results:

• Onset predictors included externalizing symptoms, nicotine dependence, and cotwin drinking history.
• Remission predictors included externalizing disorders and psychosocial factors not seen in onset.
• Relapse predictors were unique psychosocial factors, including social and coping motives.

Conclusions:

• Findings extend to remission and relapse in later life.
• Highlights distinct psychosocial predictors for relapse.
• Informs treatment strategies for alcohol use problems.