Page 24 - JCBP-3-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Alcohol use disorder relapse: Tools and factors

related suggestions. Schacht et al.’s meta-analysis addiction, family dynamics, underlying health conditions,
53
indicated that the ventral striatum, anterior cingulate work, and economic pressures, stress, and social support
gyrus, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex were activated play significant roles and should receive special attention.
in AUD patients during alcohol-related suggestions.
Another experiment conducted abroad confirmed that 6. Conclusion
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when AUD patients were given alcohol-related suggestions AUDs are a widely recognized substance addiction
and ordinary suggestions separately, they responded more disorder that not only adversely affects the physical and
strongly to the former (F[1,45] = 5.54, P = 0.023, η = 0.11, mental health of patients but also poses significant harm to
2
p
r[22] = 0.50). This response significantly enhanced their families and society.
craving for alcohol and was not helpful in reducing relapse
rates. In China, drunk driving and severe racing behavior are
classified as “dangerous driving crimes” under the Eighth
5.3.3. Stress factor Amendment to the Criminal Law, which was approved
Multiple studies, 31,37,55 both domestically and on February 25, 2011, and came into effect on May 1 of
internationally, have shown that negative events in daily the same year. The “Threshold and Testing of Blood and
life and work (OR = 0.983, 95% CI = 0.970 – 0.995), as Breath Alcohol Content for Vehicle Drivers,” implemented
well as stress and negative emotions caused by protracted on July 1, sets the threshold for blood alcohol content
withdrawal syndrome, can significantly increase the ≥80 mg/100 mL. This threshold is also used in Criminal
relapse rate in AUD patients. To avoid stress and negative Law to define the crime of drunk driving and dangerous
emotions, patients may develop a strong desire for alcohol, driving, effectively deterring some individuals from
which significantly strengthens their drinking behavior. drinking and ensuring public safety. 58
Alcohol craving represents the psychological dependence Despite these legal measures, there are still several gaps
of AUD patients on alcohol, characterized by an internal in the research on the influencing factors of relapse in
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and uncontrollable desire for alcohol. Repeated drinking AUD patients: (i) current studies primarily focus on male
in search of pleasure or euphoria is an important factor AUD patients, with limited research on female patients and
leading to sustained drinking and relapse in AUD patients small sample sizes; (ii) most studies have primarily been
after quitting drinking. conducted in urban areas, with little attention given to
5.3.4. Social development factors the relapse of AUD patients in rural regions after quitting
drinking; (iii) the majority of studies concentrate on severe
The development of AUDs is closely related to the degree AUD patients, making it difficult to monitor mild cases
of social development. Economic and industrial growth and resulting in a lack of early-stage research on AUDs; (iv)
has provided the material foundation for increased alcohol the survey methods and approaches for studying relapse
production, and the availability of alcohol has been rising in AUD patients are generally limited, relying mainly
year by year. Various types of alcohol can now be easily on scales, questionnaire, and face-to-face interviews,
purchased in supermarkets, convenience stores, bars, which may hinder data collection and compromise its
private karaoke rooms, and other venues. Some patients authenticity. Future research should employ diverse
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lack determination and are easily tempted to resume methodologies to investigate the influencing factors of
drinking. With the accelerated pace of modern life, many relapse in AUD patients across different regions, allowing
interpersonal relationships are often formed around for targeted interventions to reduce relapse rates.
alcohol consumption, and the negative influence of public
opinion in television and online media has contributed At present, the factors and pathological mechanisms
to a growing number of drinkers. This trend objectively underlying AUDs and relapse after cessation remain
increases the likelihood of developing AUDs. incompletely understood. Treatment methods
predominantly focus on substitution therapy, which can
To summarize, there are currently few relevant studies
in China, which are limited to cross-sectional surveys. only partially reduce the patients’ desire to drink. There is
currently no targeted, effective cure for AUDs.
There is no unified or clear research consensus on the
factors influencing relapse in AUD patients after quitting Our team is preparing a longitudinal mixed-methods
drinking. However, numerous social risk factors, including study on AUDs and the influencing factors of relapse,
sociodemographic, individual, and social factors, affect inspired by the literature review conducted in this paper.
patients from multiple angles, resulting in a high relapse This research will adopt a longitudinal mixed-methods
rate after cessation. Both domestic and international approach, collaborating with experts from multiple
studies have indicated that factors such as the degree of disciplines and integrating new technologies such as

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 18 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.6559