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Article

Alcohol vs. Cocaine: Impulsivity and Alexithymia in Substance Use Disorder

1
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
2
ITAB|Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, 66100 Chieti, Italy
3
Department of Human and Clinical Sciences, UniCamillus—International Medical University, Via di Sant’Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060711
Submission received: 15 April 2025 / Revised: 14 May 2025 / Accepted: 20 May 2025 / Published: 22 May 2025

Abstract

:
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are frequently associated with impairments in emotional regulation and behavioural control. Among the most prevalent substances of abuse, alcohol and cocaine are known to exert distinct effects on neuropsychological functioning. This study aimed to compare individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) in terms of impulsivity and alexithymia, and to examine the clinical implications of poly-substance use involving both alcohol and cocaine. Participants completed standardized psychometric assessments, including the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Group comparisons were conducted using non-parametric tests, and logistic regression models were applied to control for demographic covariates. The findings showed that impulsivity levels were comparable across groups, whereas alexithymia scores were significantly higher in individuals with AUD and in those with poly-substance use, relative to CUD-only participants. These findings underscore the relevance of targeting emotional regulation difficulties, particularly alexithymia, in the assessment and treatment of SUDs. Integrating emotion-focused interventions may enhance treatment outcomes, especially for individuals with co-occurring substance use patterns. Future research is needed to clarify the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms contributing to these differences and to inform more personalized approaches to addiction care.

1. Introduction

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), including Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), represent major global public health concerns, significantly impacting individuals’ physical, psychological, and social well-being. In Europe alone, an estimated 66.2 million people aged 15 and older are affected by AUD (World Health Organization, 2018), resulting in considerable economic and societal burdens, as well as increased risk of comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and premature mortality (Zizzi et al., 2024). Although less prevalent, approximately 22 million people worldwide used cocaine in 2021 (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2023). Cocaine use remains among the most addictive and difficult-to-treat forms of SUD, with a recent increase in cocaine purity (EMCDDA, 2022) contributing to high relapse rates and frequent psychiatric comorbidities, including anxiety and depression (Hallgren & Witkiewitz, 2015). While alcohol and cocaine differ pharmacologically, both substances exert a profound influence on dopaminergic pathways in the brain, contributing to maladaptive reward processing and impaired impulse control (Boden & Fergusson, 2011; Giustiniani et al., 2022).
A growing body of research highlights the relevance of specific personality traits in the onset, maintenance, and treatment outcomes of SUDs (Zilberman et al., 2020). Among these, alexithymia—the difficulty in identifying and describing one’s emotions—and impulsivity—the tendency to act without adequate forethought—are consistently linked to higher vulnerability for substance misuse and poorer treatment outcomes (Zizzi et al., 2024; Ziółkowski et al., 1995). Alexithymia is particularly prevalent in individuals with AUD, where it is associated with elevated levels of depression, impulsivity, hopelessness and lack of empaty (Martinotti et al., 2009), all of which may contribute to increased relapse risk and reduced therapeutic engagement (Palma-Álvarez et al., 2021). Similarly, in CUD, alexithymia is linked to emotional dysregulation and difficulty maintaining abstinence, complicating long-term recovery efforts (Achab et al., 2013). Evidence suggests that individuals with alexithymia are more prone to using substances as a maladaptive coping strategy, perpetuating a vicious cycle of dependency and emotional dysfunction (Taylor et al., 1997; Craparo et al., 2014).
Impulsivity has likewise been identified as a key factor in the trajectory and severity of both AUD and CUD (Dalley & Ersche, 2019). In AUD, high impulsivity correlates with earlier relapse and challenges in adhering to treatment regimens (Loree et al., 2015). In CUD, impulsivity is strongly associated with early onset of drug use, increased craving, and more severe addiction profiles (Urueña-Méndez et al., 2023; Leeman & Potenza, 2014; Mosca et al., 2023). Notably, impulsivity and alexithymia often co-occur and may interact synergistically: individuals with high levels of both traits tend to exhibit more profound emotional dysregulation, resulting in more complex clinical presentations and reduced treatment responsiveness (Gori et al., 2014; Pepe et al., 2023).
Both AUD and CUD are frequently complicated by psychiatric comorbidities, particularly depression and anxiety, which may serve as both precursors and consequences of substance use (McHugh & Weiss, 2019; Obeid et al., 2021). In individuals with AUD, depressive symptoms are associated with greater risk of relapse and poorer long-term outcomes, underscoring the importance of integrated treatment approaches that address both substance use and co-occurring psychopathology (Boden & Fergusson, 2011; Hallgren & Witkiewitz, 2015). The combination of alexithymia, impulsivity, and mood disturbances such as hopelessness and suicidality further compound this clinical complexity, increasing the need for tailored and multidisciplinary interventions (Sadock & Sadock, 2009; Stoffers et al., 2010).
Given these interrelated risk factors, a better understanding of the roles of alexithymia and impulsivity across different SUD profiles—particularly in individuals with single-substance (AUD or CUD) and poly-substance use—may help identify psychological targets for more personalized interventions. The present study aims to examine differences in alexithymia, impulsivity, and psychiatric symptom severity across individuals with AUD, CUD, and the combined use of both substances. By identifying specific emotional and cognitive traits associated with each group, this research seeks to inform more effective, individualized treatment strategies and support sustained recovery (Craparo et al., 2014; Boden & Fergusson, 2011). We hypothesized that individuals with AUD would exhibit higher levels of alexithymia and psychiatric symptom severity compared to those with CUD, while impulsivity would be greater in individuals with CUD and highest among those with poly-substance use.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants and Sample Characteristics

This study included a total of 119 participants, comprising 39 individuals with a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and 80 individuals with a primary diagnosis of Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). Among individuals with a primary diagnosis of CUD, 10 reported exclusive cocaine use, while 70 engaged in polydrug use (including alcohol, cannabis, and opioids). In contrast, individuals diagnosed with AUD did not exhibit patterns of polydrug use. Participants were recruited from various mental health institutions in Italy, including the Psychiatric Diagnostic and Treatment Service of the S.S. Annunziata University Hospital in Chieti and the Inpatient Psychiatric Center of Villa Maria Pia in Rome. All diagnoses were made according to standardized criteria for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), in accordance with internationally recognized diagnostic systems.
All participants provided written informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. The protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Demographic information collected included age, sex, years of education, employment status (coded as 1 = employed, 0 = unemployed), and marital status (recoded into a binary variable: 1 = married or partnered, 0 = single). Descriptive statistics for all variables were calculated separately for the AUD and CUD groups.

2.2. Psychometric Evaluation

Participants were evaluated using three validated psychometric instruments. Emotional regulation difficulties were measured using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), which evaluates three dimensions: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking. The total score ranges from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater alexithymia.
Impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), a 30-item self-report instrument that covers attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsivity. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale, and higher total scores reflect greater levels of impulsivity.
Psychiatric symptom severity was measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), a clinician-administered instrument that evaluates a range of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and hostility across 18 items rated on a 7-point scale. These instruments are widely used in both clinical and research contexts. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) has demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 (Bagby et al., 1994; Bressi et al., 1996). The Italian version of the BIS-11 has shown acceptable reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.79 (Fossati et al., 2001). The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) also exhibits robust inter-rater reliability and internal consistency across studies (Ventura et al., 1993).

3. Results

3.1. Demographic and Clinical Differences

The CUD group had a higher proportion of males (90%) compared to the AUD group (25.6%). Participants in the AUD group were older (mean age = 52.41 years, SD = 10.20) than those in the CUD group (mean age = 38.36 years, SD = 7.82). Years of education were comparable between groups, with means of 11.95 (SD = 3.84) in the AUD group and 12.65 (SD = 3.69) in the CUD group. Employment status differed, with 70% of CUD participants being employed, compared to 38.5% in the AUD group. Marital status also varied, with AUD participants reporting higher mean scores for being married or in a partnership (mean = 1.08, SD = 0.90) than CUD participants (mean = 0.65, SD = 0.60). Chi-square analyses revealed significant differences across several demographic and clinical variables. The AUD group showed a higher prevalence of dual diagnosis (p < 0.001), and a greater use of antidepressants and mood stabilizers (p < 0.001). In contrast, cannabis use was more common in the CUD group (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between groups regarding opioid use (p = 0.11). See Table 1.

3.2. Psychological and Clinical Measures

Mann–Whitney U tests were conducted to compare psychological characteristics between the AUD and CUD groups. No significant differences were observed in impulsivity scores as measured by the BIS-11 (p = 0.97), indicating comparable levels of impulsivity across the two groups. Psychiatric symptom severity, assessed using the BPRS, was higher in the AUD group; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.056). In contrast, alexithymia scores, as measured by the TAS-20, were significantly higher in the AUD group compared to the CUD group (p = 0.012), suggesting greater difficulties in emotional regulation among individuals with alcohol dependence (See Table 2). These findings are visually presented in Figure 1.

3.3. CUD-Only vs. Poly-Substance Use Comparison

A separate comparison was conducted between individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder only (CUD-only) and those with poly-substance use involving both cocaine and alcohol. Impulsivity scores, as measured by the BIS-11, did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.648), indicating comparable levels of impulsivity. In contrast, psychiatric symptom severity (BPRS) was significantly higher in the poly-use group (p = 0.034), suggesting greater psychiatric distress. Similarly, alexithymia scores (TAS-20) were significantly elevated in the poly-use group compared to the CUD-only group (p = 0.048), indicating increased difficulty in emotional processing and regulation. These findings are visually summarized in Figure 1, which highlights the elevated BPRS and TAS-20 scores among poly-substance users, despite stable impulsivity levels across groups.

3.4. Regression Analysis

To identify psychological and demographic predictors of poly-substance use (defined as concurrent use of alcohol and cocaine) versus cocaine-only use, a binary logistic regression model was conducted. The predictors included age, years of education, impulsivity (BIS-11), psychiatric symptom severity (BPRS), and alexithymia (TAS-20).
The logistic regression model was statistically significant (Likelihood Ratio χ2 = 10.80, p = 0.056), with a pseudo-R2 of 0.107, indicating that approximately 10.7% of the variance in poly-substance use status was explained by the included predictors.
Among the variables tested, alexithymia (TAS-20) emerged as the strongest predictor, approaching statistical significance (β = 0.0447, p = 0.0698). This suggests that greater emotional dysregulation may be associated with an increased likelihood of poly-substance use. Psychiatric symptoms (BPRS) also showed a trend toward significance (p = 0.1061), while impulsivity (BIS-11), age, and education were not significant predictors (p > 0.30 for all). See Table 3.
These findings support the potential role of alexithymia as a key psychological trait in distinguishing more complex addiction profiles.

4. Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing impulsivity, psychiatric symptom severity, and alexithymia between individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and those with Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). Furthermore, we explored differences between CUD-only individuals and those engaged in poly-substance use (cocaine and alcohol). Our findings offer valuable insights into the emotional and cognitive profiles associated with different substance use patterns.
First, we observed that alexithymia levels were significantly higher in the AUD group compared to those with CUD, consistent with prior research highlighting alexithymia as a core feature in alcohol dependence (Thorberg et al., 2009; Evren et al., 2008, 2012). This may reflect a stronger tendency among individuals with AUD to use alcohol as a maladaptive strategy for regulating emotional discomfort, particularly when emotional awareness and articulation are impaired. In contrast, individuals with CUD showed relatively lower levels of alexithymia, possibly indicating different emotional or motivational dynamics underlying cocaine use.
From another perspective, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that chronic alcohol use can alter brain regions involved in emotional regulation and processing, such as the insula (Centanni et al., 2020), amygdala (Pandey et al., 2008), and prefrontal cortex (Crews et al., 2016), suggesting that higher rates of alexithymia may be more closely associated with the neurobiological effects of chronic alcohol consumption rather than with self-medication attempts.
Although impulsivity is widely documented in both AUD and CUD populations (Barratt, 1985; Gori et al., 2014), our data did not reveal significant group differences on the BIS-11. This suggests that impulsivity may be a transdiagnostic trait across SUDs, without strong specificity to alcohol or cocaine. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution, as BIS-11 may not fully capture the nuanced, multidimensional nature of impulsivity across substances.
A trend toward higher psychiatric symptom severity (BPRS) was observed in the AUD group, though it did not reach statistical significance. This aligns with the literature suggesting that alcohol dependence is frequently associated with mood disorders and affective dysregulation (Hallgren & Witkiewitz, 2015), which may compound emotional processing difficulties such as alexithymia (Evren et al., 2008, 2012). In contrast, psychiatric symptoms in CUD may be more state-dependent, linked to acute intoxication or withdrawal phases.
When examining poly-substance users (Cocaine + Alcohol) versus CUD-only individuals, we found that the poly-use group exhibited significantly higher psychiatric symptoms and alexithymia scores, despite no difference in impulsivity. This pattern supports previous research suggesting that individuals who use multiple substances may represent a more clinically severe subgroup, characterized by emotional dysregulation, comorbid psychopathology, and poorer functional outcomes (Craparo et al., 2014; Zizzi et al., 2024). The finding that alexithymia emerged as a marginally significant predictor of poly-substance use in the regression analysis further reinforces its potential role as a psychological marker of complexity and treatment resistance in addiction.
These results have important clinical implications. First, they highlight the need to assess alexithymia routinely in substance use treatment settings, particularly for individuals with alcohol dependence or co-occurring substance use. In light of this, a psychotherapeutic intervention specifically targeting alexithymic traits could be therapeutic in individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) (Saeedi Rashkolia et al., 2022; Zargar et al., 2019). From a pharmacological standpoint, mood stabilizers may be effective by improving alexithymic traits (Chaim et al., 2024; Brown et al., 2018), whereas antipsychotics should be avoided unless a clear comorbidity is present (Lysaker et al., 2005; Van’t Wout et al., 2007). Second, the absence of group differences in impulsivity emphasizes the importance of tailoring interventions beyond trait impulsivity and focusing more deeply on emotion processing skills.
Limitations of the present study include its cross-sectional design, which precludes causal inference, and the reliance on self-report measures, which may be subject to social desirability or insight limitations, particularly in individuals with alexithymia. Additionally, the regression model encountered quasi-complete separation, limiting interpretation of some predictors due to statistical instability. A larger and more balanced sample, particularly in terms of gender, would strengthen generalizability.

5. Conclusions

This study reveals meaningful differences in the clinical and psychological profiles of individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). Our findings highlight alexithymia as a key psychological trait particularly associated with AUD and poly-substance use, suggesting its potential as a clinical marker of emotional dysregulation in addiction.
Future research should examine the longitudinal course and treatment outcomes linked to alexithymia, ideally through integrated neurobiological and behavioural frameworks to better understand its mechanistic role in Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Additionally, studies should investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of emotional dysregulation in addiction, employing techniques such as functional neuroimaging to identify distinct patterns of brain activity associated with alexithymia across different substance use profiles.
Exploring how demographic variables—such as sex, age, and employment status—interact with psychological traits like impulsivity and alexithymia may further clarify the heterogeneity of addiction pathways, supporting the development of personalized, precision-based therapeutic interventions.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, A.M. (Alessio Mosca); methodology, G.B.; software, A.M. (Alessio Mosca) and G.B.; validation, S.C., M.P. and G.M.; formal analysis, G.B.; investigation, C.C., C.M., R.A., A.M. (Andrea Miuli) and N.C.; resources, A.M. (Andrea Miuli); data curation, A.M. (Alessio Mosca); writing—original draft preparation, A.M. (Alessio Mosca) and G.B.; writing—review and editing, S.C. and R.A.; visualization, G.M.; supervision, M.P. and G.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the G. D’Annunzio University of Chieti and Pescara N. 1496, 11 June 2020.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all participants for their valuable time and willingness to contribute to this study. We are also grateful to the clinical staff at the addiction treatment centres involved in the recruitment and data collection process. Special thanks to the research assistants and psychologists who supported the administration of clinical assessments and questionnaires. This research was carried out within the framework of the Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences at the “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara. Additional institutional support was provided by ITAB|Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Figure 1. Group comparisons of psychological measures between individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). Boxplots display the distribution of scores on the BIS-11 (Impulsivity), BPRS (Psychiatric Symptoms), and TAS-20 (Alexithymia). No significant difference was observed in impulsivity scores between groups (p = 0.97). A trend toward higher psychiatric symptom severity was found in the AUD group (p = 0.056), while alexithymia scores were significantly higher in the AUD group compared to the CUD group (p = 0.012), suggesting greater emotional dysregulation among individuals with alcohol dependence.
Figure 1. Group comparisons of psychological measures between individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). Boxplots display the distribution of scores on the BIS-11 (Impulsivity), BPRS (Psychiatric Symptoms), and TAS-20 (Alexithymia). No significant difference was observed in impulsivity scores between groups (p = 0.97). A trend toward higher psychiatric symptom severity was found in the AUD group (p = 0.056), while alexithymia scores were significantly higher in the AUD group compared to the CUD group (p = 0.012), suggesting greater emotional dysregulation among individuals with alcohol dependence.
Behavsci 15 00711 g001
Table 1. Participants.
Table 1. Participants.
Sex
(Alc)
Sex
(Coca)
Age
(Alc)
Age
(Coca)
Educyears (Alc)Educyears
(Coca)
Employed
(Alc)
Employed
(Coca)
Marital
Status
(Alc)
Marital Status
(Coca)
Valid39.080.0039.0080.0039.00080.00039.00080.00039.0080.00
Mean0.250.90052.4138.3611.94912.6500.3850.7001.0770.650
Std. Deviation0.440.30210.207.8183.8393.6910.4930.4610.9000.597
Minimum0.000.00030.019.003.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000.000
Maximum1.001.00074.057.0018.00025.0001.0001.0003.0002.000
Table 2. Descriptive Statistics for Psychological Measures by Group. Descriptive statistics for impulsivity (BIS-11), psychiatric symptoms (BPRS), and alexithymia (TAS-20) for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). For each measure, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values are reported.
Table 2. Descriptive Statistics for Psychological Measures by Group. Descriptive statistics for impulsivity (BIS-11), psychiatric symptoms (BPRS), and alexithymia (TAS-20) for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD). For each measure, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values are reported.
BIS-11
(Alc)
BIS-11
(Coca)
BPRS
(Alc)
BPRS
(Coca)
TAS-20
(Alc)
TAS-20
(Coca)
Valid398039803980
Mean68.59069.40040.74437.51359.61552.737
SD12.11511.1709.3978.81215.50812.758
Minimum45.00037.00024.00020.00021.00025.000
Maximum92.00092.00061.00059.00092.00089.000
Table 3. Logistic Regression Predicting Poly-Substance Use (Alcohol + Cocaine vs. Cocaine Only) Binary logistic regression results examining the effects of age, education, impulsivity (BIS-11), psychiatric symptom severity (BPRS), and alexithymia (TAS-20) on the likelihood of poly-substance use.
Table 3. Logistic Regression Predicting Poly-Substance Use (Alcohol + Cocaine vs. Cocaine Only) Binary logistic regression results examining the effects of age, education, impulsivity (BIS-11), psychiatric symptom severity (BPRS), and alexithymia (TAS-20) on the likelihood of poly-substance use.
Predictorβ (Coef.)Std. Errorz-Valuep-Value95% CI
(Lower)
95% CI
(Upper)
Age0.0250.0280.9090.364−0.0290.079
Education
(years)
0.0750.0741.0140.312−0.0700.219
BIS-11
(impulsivity)
−0.0190.029−0.6690.505−0.0750.037
BPRS (Psych.
Syntoms)
0.0620.0381.6160.106−0.0130.137
TAS-20
(Alexithymia)
0.0450.0251.8140.070−0.0040.093
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Mosca, A.; Bubbico, G.; Cavallotto, C.; Chiappini, S.; Allegretti, R.; Miuli, A.; Marrangone, C.; Ciraselli, N.; Pettorruso, M.; Martinotti, G. Alcohol vs. Cocaine: Impulsivity and Alexithymia in Substance Use Disorder. Behav. Sci. 2025, 15, 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060711

AMA Style

Mosca A, Bubbico G, Cavallotto C, Chiappini S, Allegretti R, Miuli A, Marrangone C, Ciraselli N, Pettorruso M, Martinotti G. Alcohol vs. Cocaine: Impulsivity and Alexithymia in Substance Use Disorder. Behavioral Sciences. 2025; 15(6):711. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060711

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mosca, Alessio, Giovanna Bubbico, Clara Cavallotto, Stefania Chiappini, Rita Allegretti, Andrea Miuli, Carlotta Marrangone, Nicola Ciraselli, Mauro Pettorruso, and Giovanni Martinotti. 2025. "Alcohol vs. Cocaine: Impulsivity and Alexithymia in Substance Use Disorder" Behavioral Sciences 15, no. 6: 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060711

APA Style

Mosca, A., Bubbico, G., Cavallotto, C., Chiappini, S., Allegretti, R., Miuli, A., Marrangone, C., Ciraselli, N., Pettorruso, M., & Martinotti, G. (2025). Alcohol vs. Cocaine: Impulsivity and Alexithymia in Substance Use Disorder. Behavioral Sciences, 15(6), 711. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060711

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