Life events in past one year in alcohol-dependent patients presenting with relapse

Objective: Stressful life events may be an important factor in relapse in alcohol-dependent patients. This study was carried out to examine the life events in past one year in alcohol-dependent patients presenting with relapse. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients, aged 18 to 60 years, ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research for alcohol dependence syndrome, with current relapse were assessed on Severity Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) to measure alcohol dependence severity level and Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES) to identify life events in past one year prior to the relapse. Results: The mean number of life events among patients in past one year was 3.06 (SD 1.81). The mean number of undesirable life events was significantly higher than desirable events (p <.001). The most common life event was financial loss or problems (43%), followed by large loan and marital conflict (27%). Conclusion: There were a mean of three life events in the year preceding relapse in patients with alcohol dependence. Psychosocial treatment targeting stressful life events could be useful adjunct in the management of alcohol dependence.