Utility Of The Multidimensional Alcohol Craving Scale (Macs) In The Clinical Practice

• Published in: Adicciones (Palma de Mallorca) Vol. 18; no. 3
• Main Authors: Guardia Serecigni, J, Luquero Vived, E, Siñol Llosa, N, Burguete, T, Maria Cardús Moya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Palma de Mallorca Socidrogalcohol 01.07.2006
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Alcoholism; Comorbidity
• ISSN: 0214-4840

Introduction: Craving is a central symptom of addictive behaviors. Craving levels are usually related to patient's evolution. The MACS scale has prove a valid and reliable instrument to assess this symptom. The aim of this study is to test the usefulness of MACS to assess the efficacy of treatment and to improve the alcoholism treatment planning. Patients and Method: A sample of 151 alcohol-dependence patients has been used to study the relationship between the MACS scale and dependence severity, psychiatric and addictive comorbidity and other alcoholism scales. Furthermore, the sensitivity of MACS to detect changes in patient's evolution during a six months follow-up study has been assessed. Results: The MACS discriminate between the severe level of dependence severity and moderate (p<0.001) and slight levels (p<0.0001), as well as between patients with and without addictive comorbidity. The "desire to drink" factor of the MACS discriminate between patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity (p=0.041). The MACS show a good sensitivity to detect changes in alcohol consumption during the follow-up study. Conclusions: The craving severity seems to be modulated by the alcohol-dependence severity and psychiatric and addictive comorbidity. The MACS is sensitive to the changes that happen during the recovery process of alcoholism. Therefore it can be a useful instrument for alcoholism treatment planning and outcome treatment assessment.