[A study on preventive measures for redrinking in alcoholics].

We conducted a questionnaire survey on reasons or situations that lead alcoholics to start drinking alcohol, and measures to overcome the craving for alcohol. The subjects were 187 alcoholics (mean age; 53.9 +/- 9.9) who were outpatients of Kurihama National Hospital or the members of "Danshu-kai" (Japan Sobriety Association). Their mean abstinent period at the time of this survey was 43.6 months. To examine the relationship between various factors such as demographic backgrounds, reasons to start drinking, and measures to overcome craving and the length of abstinent periods, the subjects were divided into two groups in terms of abstinent periods; long-term group (24 months or more of abstinence, 88 cases) and short-term group (less than 24 months of abstinence, 99 cases). As reasons for taking the last drink, "psychological problems" showed the highest percentage (20.3%), followed by starting drink without any reason (17.7%). Measures used most frequently to overcome craving were "thinking about their own lives" (34.8%), "contacting self-help groups" (22.5%), and "thinking about self-help groups" (20.9%). Interestingly, non-alcoholic beverages were often used to overcome craving; coffee or tea and non-alcoholic soda were most frequently used in the long-term group, and coffee or tea and milk in the short-term group. The results of this study suggest that there is no particular situation or reason of significance that specifically induces the craving for alcohol in alcoholics. They took various measures to overcome craving. From the viewpoint of managing craving, this study reconfirmed the significant importance of self-help groups for sustaining long-term abstinence.