Trait Aggression and Hostility in Recovered Alcoholics

Abstract

There is a long-recognized association between alcohol consumption and aggressive behavior. This study was designed to examine aggression in a group of socially well-adapted recovered alcoholics (RA). The question addressed was whether the treatment, together with long-term abstinence from alcohol, could reduce aggression and hostility in RA. A group of male RA (n = 64), who did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for any psychiatric or personality disorder, were recruited to the study from aftercare groups. According to data from their group therapists, they were reliably abstinent for at least 3 years and socially well adapted. The study participants representing the control group (n = 69), diagnosed as being ‘reliable nonalcoholics’ (NA) by the Munich Alcoholism Test, were recruited from general practice. Data were derived from an in-house questionnaire on general characteristics of both groups, and aggressive and hostility traits were assessed using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI). The univariate and multivariate between-groups design was used for data analysis. Taking into account the BDHI dimensions of aggression and hostility, the difference between RA and NA groups was statistically significant [Wilks’ lambda (8, 125) = 0.769; p = 0.00004]. There were statistically significant differences in the BDHI scales for indirect aggression, irritability, negativism, suspicion, resentment, and guilt. Both RA and Na groups did not differ significantly in variables that assessed physical and verbal aggression. After a 3-year abstinence, subjects from the RA group displayed signs of hostility and covert aggression.

Externalizing spectrum or spectra? Underlying dimensions of the externalizing spectrum

“…Higher severity of impulsivity, sensation seeking and hostility in AD subjects are concordant with the existing literature (Caces et al, 2008;Bjork et al, 2004;Lawrence et al, 2009;Fein et al, 2010;Webb et al, 1991;Ziherl et al, 2007). Similarly, presence of greater oppositional defiant, conduct, and antisocial behaviour is also quite expected (Hesselbrock et al, 1999(Hesselbrock et al, , 2003Slutske et al, 1998;Kessler et al, 1997).…”

Psychosocial findings in alcohol-dependent patients before and after three months of total alcohol abstinence

“…Notably, a recent study reported that after a 3-year abstinence period, socially well-adapted recovered alcoholics still displayed signs of hostility (Ziherl et al, 2007). …”

“…This observation might lead to speculate that subjects with an important aggressive behavior are less likely to be totally abstinent during the treatment program. There is a well-recognized association between AUDs and aggressive behavior (Ziherl et al, 2007). For example, it is known that same genetic factors may be linked to both alcohol dependence and aggressive behavior (Von der Pahlen et al, 2008) and the presence of an aggressive behavior represents a marker of more severe alcohol dependence (Mann et al, 1998; Leggio and Addolorato, 2008).…”