Alcohol craving and levels of suppression of depression, anxiety and anger in patients before and after alcohol dependence treatment in the form of a day ward

Introduction: Craving for alcohol is an intense desire to drink alcohol, leading to an upsetting of the previous balance through the appearance of anxiety, cognitive dissonance and irritability. This desire, which varies individually, is closely linked to changes in the central nervous system and affects memory, attention, perception, biological functions and decision-making. It is associated with a strong motivation to drink and obsessive thoughts about contact with alcohol to reduce the discomfort experienced. The aim of this study is to investigate whether patients experience a reduction in alcohol craving and a change in anxiety and anger suppression after completing a primary treatment programme for alcohol dependence. Material and methods: The research was carried out by using the diagnostic survey method. In order to identify problems, the following were used: 1) CECS - Emotional Control Scale; 2) PACS (Penn Alcohol Craving Scale) - Polish adaptation of the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS). Changes in somatic, mental, social, occupational, family and social functioning were examined using a survey questionnaire of our own design. The study was conducted in 2024 at an Addiction Therapy Centre in north-western Poland. Patients of the Centre completed the toolkit during the first and the last (eighth) week of primary therapy. Results: A total of 156 patients participated in the study, from which a total of 154 respondents were qualified. A significant decrease in the PACS scale question total was observed (p