Relationship of negative emotionality, NIAAA recovery, and 3- and 6-month drinking outcomes among adults in treatment for alcohol use disorder

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence Vol. 242; p. 109695
• Main Authors: Linn, B.K., Zhao, J., Stasiewicz, P.R., LaBarre, C., Wilding, G.E., Bradizza, C.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01-01-2023; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Addictions; Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment; Adult; Alcohol abuse; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol related disorders; Alcohol use; Alcohol use disorder treatment; Alcoholic beverages; Alcoholism; Alcoholism - therapy; Behavior, Addictive; Criteria; Domains; Drinking; Drinking behavior; Drug abuse; Emotionality; Emotions; Female; Handheld computers; Humans; Male; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (U.S.); Negative affect; Negative emotionality; Negative emotions; Negative reinforcement; Recovery; Reinforcement; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment outcome; United States; United States; Alcohol use disorder treatment; Treatment outcome; Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment; Negative emotionality; Recovery; Negative affect
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109695

The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recently released a new definition of recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). A patient is considered recovered if they are remitted from DSM-5 AUD and report cessation of heavy drinking. The NIAAA has also recently proposed the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA) to guide treatment research. Negative emotionality is one of three domains of the ANA and theory proposes that AUD is maintained by negative reinforcement via the relief of negative affect. The purpose of the current study was to examine: (1) the relationship of end-of-treatment negative emotionality and NIAAA recovery, and (2) the ability of NIAAA recovery at the end of treatment to predict three- and six-month drinking outcomes.
At baseline and end-of-treatment, women and men (n = 181) in treatment for AUD completed measures of negative emotionality, drinking, and were assessed for DSM-5 AUD diagnostic criteria. At three- and six-months post-treatment, drinking was re-assessed.
22.5% (n = 24) of participants met full criteria for NIAAA recovery at end-of-treatment. Lower levels of end of treatment negative emotionality were associated with increased odds of achieving NIAAA recovery. Meeting NIAAA recovery predicted greater percent days abstinent (PDA) and lower percent heavy drinking days (PHDD) at 3-months, but not at 6-months post-treatment.
This study is among the first to report a relationship between the negative emotionality domain of the ANA and NIAAA recovery. Results underscore the importance of addressing negative emotionality in treatment. Findings also suggest that NIAAA recovery predicts positive short term drinking outcomes.
•Lower levels of end of AUD treatment negative emotionality were associated with greater odds of achieving NIAAA recovery.•Achieving NIAAA recovery predicted better 3-month drinking outcomes.•Meeting only one of the NIAAA recovery criteria was conferred no benefit at 3- and 6- month follow ups.