According to the cognitive model of addiction by Beck taking substance represents the final common voice of the activation of beliefs through the involvement of craving.

To assess whether beliefs related to craving is a prognostic factor for relapse 6 months after a residential alcohol withdrawal and analyze the evolution of these beliefs.

107 participants were solicited for this non-interventional prospective study in a department of Psychiatry and Addictive Medicine. All patients showed a dependence on alcohol, and were hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal and had to master the French language and be reachable by telephone to help ensure follow-up. The presence of severe cognitive disorders or schizophrenia constitute a basis for non-inclusion. In the end, 68 patients were included. Beliefs related to craving on alcohol were assessed by Craving Beliefs Questionnaire (CBQ), psychiatric and addictive comorbidities by the MINI and consumption of alcohol by the AUDIT.

Among the 68 patients, 27 were abstinent and 25 had relapsed at 6 months. The CBQ score at baseline was positively correlated with relapse at 6 months (p <.05). Relapsers were characterized by more frequent presence of major depressive disorder, suicidal risk, antisocial personality and an AUDIT and alcohol dependence largest scores. Three months after hospitalization CBQ score drops significantly among non-relapsers (p <.001) but not among relapsers.

This study supports the role of beliefs related to alcohol craving in the relapse after residential withdrawal. These beliefs could be assessed in routine practice and treated with cognitive therapies.