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Alexithymia and Alcohol Use Disorders

  • R. Vecchiotti*
  • , M. Marconi
  • , G. Mansueto
  • , F. Cosci
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

Alexithymia is a personality construct typified by a difficulty in identify, express, or describe emotions; inability to discriminate between feelings and physical sensations; and an externally oriented thinking style. It is a multifaceted construct, characterized by impairments in emotional awareness, connected to several dimensions of alcohol use disorders or misuse. Its role in heavy and problematic alcohol consumption is well documented. Alexithymia has been linked to risky or problematic alcohol use. The literature shows high prevalence of alexithymia in alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder and its association with several drinking constructs such as craving, which plays an important role in theoretical and clinical models regarding the development, maintenance, and reinstatement of AUDs. The high rates of alexithymia among individuals with alcohol use disorders and the therapeutic challenge that alexithymia represents indicate the negative influence of alexithymia on treatment outcomes in patients with AUD.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of the Behavior and Psychology of Disease
EditorsColin R. Martin, Victor R. Preedy, Vinood B. Patel, Rajkumar Rajendram
PublisherSpringer
Pages2227-2235
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9783031733635
ISBN (Print)9783031733628
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2025

Keywords

  • Alcohol craving
  • Alcohol problems
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Alexithymia
  • Emotion regulation difficulty
  • Emotional awareness
  • Emotions
  • Mental disorders
  • Recovery
  • Risk factors
  • Treatment outcome

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