Cortisol concentrations, stress-coping styles after withdrawal and long-term abstinence in alcohol dependence.

Full Abstract

Alcohol-dependent patients face a substantial risk of relapse after detoxification. A major risk factor for relapse is stress which is reflected biologically by various physiological changes that include an activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and release of glucocorticoids. The prospective study examined cortisol concentrations and stress-coping styles in relation to abstinence 1 year following discharge from treatment. Cortisol concentrations were measured in the plasma of 46 alcohol-dependent patients (12 women) on initial presentation for treatment (day 1), and again in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after 6 weeks of abstinence (day 40). These results were compared with those of 26 age- and sex-matched, healthy control subjects. After withdrawal, the patients completed a comprehensive baseline assessment including a stress-coping questionnaire (Stressverarbeitungsfragebogen SVF120) and were monitored for 1 year after discharge. Negative stress-coping styles (e.g. flight, resignation) positively correlated with higher cortisol concentration in plasma and in CSF after withdrawal (day 40). Compared with relapsers after 1 year, abstainers had significantly lower levels for cortisol in CSF, whereas the stress-coping styles did not differ between abstainers and relapsers in this sample. These findings suggest that relatively stable personality traits like stress-coping styles have no measurable influence on abstinence. The lower cortisol concentration in CSF as an indicator for HPA axis functioning is associated with long-term abstinence in detoxified alcoholics.

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Author information

Author/s: Walter, Marc (M); Gerhard, Urs (U); Gerlach, Manfred (M); Weijers, Heinz-Gerd (HG); Boening, Jobst (J); Wiesbeck, Gerhard A (GA);

Affiliation: Division of Substance Use Disorders, Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. marc.walter(-atsign-)upkbs.ch

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Addiction biology (Addict Biol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jun; vol 11 (issue 2) : pp 157-62

Dates: Created 2006/06/27; Completed 2006/11/30; Revised 2007/03/27;

PMID: 16800829, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Alcoholism - blood; cerebrospinal fluid; prevention & control
Female
Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood; cerebrospinal fluid
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology
Male

Male
Middle Aged
Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiopathology
Questionnaires
Recurrence
Stress, Psychological - blood; cerebrospinal fluid; physiopathology
Temperance
Time

Associated Chemicals: Hydrocortisone (50-23-7)

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