Both depressive symptoms and alcohol craving have been postulated as important predictors of relapse in patients with addictive disorders. Indeed, affective disorders are well known to be overrepresented in those with alcohol dependence and a major motivation for treatment seeking. While alcohol craving has been consistently recognized as an important construct in alcohol-dependent individuals, the relationship to alcohol consumption has not been clear in cross-sectional research (Ooteman et al., 2006; Wrase et al., 2006; Yoon et al., 2006). However, little prospective research and almost no research in older adults has been conducted to understand the implication of affect or craving on recovery.
