Alcohol-Adapted Anger Management Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Innovative Therapy for Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

A randomized controlled trial for an innovative alcohol-adapted anger management treatment (AM) for outpatient alcohol dependent individuals scoring moderate or above on anger is described. AM treatment outcomes were compared to those of an empirically-supported intervention, Alcoholics Anonymous Facilitation treatment (AAF). Clients in AM, relative to clients in AAF, were hypothesized to have greater improvement in anger and anger-related cognitions and lesser AA involvement during the six-month follow-up. Anger-related variables were hypothesized to be stronger predictors of improved alcohol outcomes in the AM treatment condition and AA involvement was hypothesized to be a stronger predictor of alcohol outcomes in the AAF treatment group. Seventy-six alcohol dependent men and women were randomly assigned to treatment condition and followed for six months after treatment end. Both AM and AAF treatments were followed by significant reductions in heavy drinking days, alcohol consequences, anger, and maladaptive anger-related thoughts and increases in abstinence and self-confidence regarding not drinking to anger-related triggers. Treatment with AAF was associated with greater AA involvement relative to treatment with AM. Changes in anger and AA involvement were predictive of posttreatment alcohol outcomes for both treatments. Change in trait anger was a stronger predictor of posttreatment alcohol consequences for AM than for AAF clients; during-treatment AA meeting attendance was a stronger predictor of posttreatment heavy drinking and alcohol consequences for AAF than for AM clients. Anger-related constructs and drinking triggers should be foci in treatment of alcohol dependence for anger-involved clients.

Impulsivity and Impulsivity-Related Endophenotypes in Suicidal Patients with Substance Use Disorders: an Exploratory Study

“…This finding contrasts with those found previously, showing greater trait anger in alcohol-dependent patients who committed SAs (Haw et al 2001;Sharma and Salim 2014). The theoretical premises of the significance of trait anger in SBs (Giegling et al 2009;Hawkins et al 2014;Sadeh and McNiel 2013) and in SUDs (Coccaro et al 2016;Cougle et al 2017;Goldstein et al 2005;Zarshenas et al 2017) and their associations with impulsivity and aggression traits have been documented, particularly with SUDs (Coccaro et al 2016;Giancola 2002;Parrot and Zeichner 2002;Walitzer et al 2015). Nevertheless, the role of this endophenotype in predisposing patients with SUDs to SBs has been less investigated than for impulsivity and aggression.…”

“…While it does not always lead to aggression nor is it a necessary cause for aggression, a robust relationship between these two constructs has been noted (Chereji et al 2012;Henwood et al 2015;Lee and DiGiuseppe 2018). In particular, anger is identified as a risk factor for aggression in alcohol users (Giancola 2002;Parrot and Zeichner 2002;Walitzer et al 2015). Additionally, it plays a role in SB (Giegling et al 2009;Hawkins et al 2014;Sadeh and McNiel 2013).…”

Psychoeducative Programme in Anger Management

“…However, in our study a repeatable result of anger traits reduction is achieved, thus meaning that there are important indications about the effectiveness of our intervention. At this point, it should be noted that within the last fifteen years, there was only a small number of longitudinal studies with anger traits change in Medline, probably due to some design difficulties [34][35][36]. More specifically, it would be hard to show significant results with a small number of participants.…”

Successful Post-Transplant Psychiatric Interventions During Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Receiving Liver Transplants for Alcoholic Liver Disease

“…Anger/irritation was enhanced by new working conditions in Case 2, with increased expressions of anger both at home and during consultations. Anger management strategies have previously been shown to be effective for controlling anger in the presence of alcohol use-related disorders [ 19 ]. In this current case, anger management was combined with supportive psychotherapy for 3 months in cooperation with the patient’s wife, who found managing her husband difficult.…”