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The first relapse into alcohol
dependence is characterized by sudden immoderate drinking.
The time after abstinence to re-establishing dependence
had never been compared to the time taken to establish dependence
initially.
Thirty one subjects who
had been dependent on alcohol had subsequently been abstinent
for at least two months, and had had a relapsei nto dependence.
The median time to first dependence on alcohol was 13 years
(Mean (SD) 14.7(8) years; median time to dependence
when relapsing was 7 days, a 700-fold acceleration
(p < .00003).
Only three subjects drank
for more than 30 days (range 90-1825 days)
before re-establishing dependence; the average was 82 (330) days
overaall and 9.3 (8.0) days if these subjects were
excluded. Times to initial and subsequent dependence were
not correlated nor related to the duration of abstinence
(median 9, mean 16.9 (22) months.
While abstinent the subjects
had felt as if they were healed. It should be emphasized
to abstinent patients that alcohol dependence has a latent
sequel: they are at risk of accelerated dependence after
recurrent drinking, which should be regarded as an emergency.
- Besançon F:
Time to alcohol dependence after abstinence and first drink.
Addiction 1993; 88: 1647-1650
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