The regulation of emotions and problematic alcohol use: a review of literature

Introduction
The results of numerous studies high­light the importance of emotion regulation in the development, course and treatment of mental disorders, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between emotion regulation and problematic alcohol use. PubMed database and Google were searched for this purpose.

Literature review
The dysregulation of positive and negative emotions reinforce drinking beha­viour. Limited access to emotion regulation strate­gies contributes to intensification of dependence symptoms, poorer treatment outcomes, shorter abstinence periods and more severe consequences of AUD. Difficulties in emotion regulation can be a trigger for relapse even after prolonged abstinence. Emotional dysregulation may contribute to the development of dependence as a consequence of other mental disorders, such as anxiety, affective or personality disorders. Differences in the ability to regulate emotions in dependent individuals are observed depending on gender, severity of dependence, drinking motives, accompanying mental disorders. Drinking alcohol affect the processing of emotions, impairs emotion regulation and long-term abstinence is associated with more adaptive emotion regulation patterns. The relationship between emotion regulation and drinking alcohol appears to be bidirectional. Therapies that strengthen emotion regulation skills are important in the treatment of individuals with AUD and problem drinkers without AUD.

Conclusions
Emotion regulation disorders have a negative impact on the development, course and prognosis of problematic alcohol drinking including AUD. It is advisable to include emotion regulation techniques in the therapeutic process, taking into account intragroup diversity. Proper emotion regulation can improve the quality of life, reduce the likelihood of relapse and the development of other mental disorders.