There is growing evidence of a close link between the non-expression of emotion and the tendency to develop somatic complaints (Bach, Bach, Böhmer, & Nutzinger, 1994; Wise & Mann, 1994; Bach & Bach, 1995; Wise & Mann, 1995).
Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are among the most common and undertreated
mental disorders in developed countries. The co-occurrence
of psychiatric comorbidity and AUD has already been well documented.
Moreover, alexithymia was found associated with heavy drinking
and alcohol dependence. A large part of AUD individuals, between
45 and 67%, have been identified as alexithymics. Both psychiatric
comorbidity and alexithymia can negatively impact the course of
recovery from alcohol. Alcohol consumption has also been shown to
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