Motivation, self-efficacy, and identity-double-edged swords for relapse prevention in patients with alcohol related...

Despite the critical importance of alcohol abstinence for patients with advanced liver disease, rates of returning to alcohol remain high and engagement with relapse prevention interventions is low. This study explores the potential barriers to relapse prevention in these patients.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who had alcohol-related cirrhosis or alcohol-associated hepatitis. Interviews took place during a hospital admission. The study methodology was informed by a constructivist grounded theory approach.

Thirty-three participants were recruited from two sites. Participants had a mean age of 52 (range 30-60) and there were 10 female participants (30%). Most participants were actively drinking alcohol at time of admission (n = 26) and 16 participants were interviewed during their index admission with alcohol-related liver disease.A renewed understanding of the health risk posed by future alcohol made participants confident that they would not return to alcohol use and participants felt that the most important factor in relapse prevention was their own motivation and willpower. However, many rejected the identity label of 'alcoholic' and drew a distinction between themselves and 'bad drinkers'. These factors combined to create a barrier to relapse prevention therapies, since participants felt these were neither appropriate nor necessary for them.

Enhanced self-efficacy, a belief in the importance of willpower, and a rejection of the alcoholic identity can together act to reduce engagement in relapse prevention in patients with advanced liver disease. Relapse prevention interventions should be reframed or redesigned to address these barriers.