A Comparison of Craving in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals with and without the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder at the Phase of Usage Abstinence

In terms of etiology, one of the clinical topics which makes it difficult to treat the post-traumatic stress disorder is co-alcohol abuse. Increased noradrenergic activity is the intersection of both disorders. The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol usage craving index. The present study was cross-sectional. There were two alcohol-dependent groups: in one group the participants had posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and in the other group the participants lacked posttraumatic stress disorder. Among the men who referred to Alcohol Anonymous Groups in Tehran, 80 participants that obtained the highest and the lowest scores based on the cut-off point of the posttraumatic stress disorder test were selected and assigned to the two groups of with and without posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms for comparison. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire and Usage Craving Questionnaire were completed by the participants. The collected data were analyzed using Chi-Square, independent t-test and Pierson correlation tests. The results showed that the mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] scores of craving in PTSD group was 11.72 (2.58) and in the control group it was 9.73 (2.24) with control (all P< 0.01). Also, a significant relationship was seen between the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol usage craving (p<0.01). The findings of the present study reflect the necessity of paying attention to the comorbidity of these two disorders and the role of this comorbidity in planning preventing and therapeutic interventions in the field of addiction.